Iran issues 'last warning' to US warship in Strait of Hormuz as tensions soar

Iranian forces have issued a chilling "last warning" to a US warship, as revealed in newly released audio recordings. Iranian state television broadcast the recording, which it claims captured a conversation between the Islamic Republic's military and an American vessel reportedly navigating the narrow but vital shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. The American Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that two US Navy guided-missile destroyers, the USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy, had entered the passage to begin mine-clearing operations. The presence of the naval vessels appeared to suggest potential headway in negotiations to bring the US-Israel vs Iran conflict to a close, with talks having begun in Pakistan with Vice President JD Vance present. However, as it emerged that negotiations had collapsed, Iran released the audio revealing how the USS Frank E. Peterson had been threatened with attack by the Iranian navy. The Strait of Hormuz was closed and mined by Iran following US and Israeli strikes against the Islamic Republic on 28 February. The closure of the strait has sent global markets into turmoil, as it ordinarily handles 20% of the world's oil and gas tanker shipping. In the audio released by Iranian television, a voice can be heard warning the USS Frank E. Peterson that this is the Iranian Navy and "you must alter course and go back to the Indian Ocean immediately. If you don't obey my order, you will be targeted. Out." An American voice aboard the vessel responded: "This is coalition warship 121 (the number of the USS Frank E. Peterson) engaged in transit passage in accordance with international law. No challenge is intended to you." The recording, which appears to have been edited, continues with the Iranian navy voice repeating "last warning" three times as he addresses the warship. Whether a response was given remains unclear from the recording. The recording then plays the Iranian navy voice issuing a further broadcast, warning: "Attention all vessels in Oman Sea, this is Iranian Sepah Navy, if you see any warship in your vicinity keep a distance more than 10 miles from them because I am ready to open fire on them, without any warning." On Saturday, US CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper confirmed that the US Navy had begun operations to clear the strait of mines, stating: "Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce." Yet by nightfall, the Iranian IRGC Navy declared: "The IRGC Navy fully and authoritatively manages the intelligent control of the Strait of Hormuz. "Permission to pass is granted solely to non-military vessels in accordance with specific regulations. "Reports published regarding the passage of U.S. vessels through the strait are denied, and any attempt by military vessels to pass will be met with the utmost firmness and resolve." The IRGC subsequently posted on X: "Any erroneous maneuver will trap the enemy in deadly whirlpools in the Strait." Venting his frustration on social media once more, US President Donald Trump declared that it was America itself that was closing off the strait. He stated: "Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz." Sir Keir Starmer called on both Iran and the US to "find a way through" following the breakdown of talks in Pakistan.