Iran threatens strikes on Gulf ports as UK rejects US Hormuz blockade

ALBAWABA- Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned it could target ports across the Gulf and the Sea of Oman in response to a US naval blockade, sharply escalating tensions following Washington’s latest move.

In a statement issued by its “Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters naval command, the IRGC declared that maritime access in the region would not be restricted unilaterally, warning: “Ports in the Gulf and Sea of Oman are either for everyone or for no one.”

The IRGC force said it would block “enemy-affiliated” vessels from transiting the Strait of Hormuz, while allowing other ships to pass under Iranian regulations.
The IRGC also described US restrictions on shipping as “illegal” and tantamount to maritime piracy, asserting continued Iranian control over the waterway even beyond the current crisis.

The warning came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade on Iranian ports and surrounding waters, following the collapse of ceasefire talks brokered by Pakistan.

In a notable divergence from Washington, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom would not participate in the blockade, citing concerns over further increases in global energy prices. He added that London is instead focusing on diplomatic and security efforts to ensure the reopening and stability of the strait.

Japan has yet to decide whether to deploy minesweepers to the area, reflecting broader international caution over involvement in the escalating standoff. 

The rapid escalation risks widening the conflict, with the potential to impact maritime security and global energy supply chains far beyond the immediate region. Any Iranian retaliation targeting Gulf infrastructure could significantly disrupt global oil and gas flows, intensifying pressure on energy markets already shaken by the ongoing US–Iran confrontation.