Iran prevents entry of U.S. warships into Strait of Hormuz – reports

TEHRAN: Iran’s navy has said it has turned away enemy warships attempting to traverse the Strait of Hormuz following a “swift and decisive warning,” Reuters reported on Monday, citing Iranian state television.

Reuters was not able to immediately confirm the reports, while U.S. Central Command said no U.S. navy ships had been hit.

Tehran is ready for any possible scenario and will not be bullied by the U.S., an unnamed source told Iran’s Tasnim news agency said, according to Reuters. Tasnim added that aside from firing in the direction of U.S. warships, Tehran had prepared other scenarios it stands ready to activate if necessary.

Earlier, Iran’s military had issued warnings to U.S. forces not to enter the Strait of Hormuz, following President Donald Trump’s claim that the U.S. would begin to “guide” out vessels stranded by the effective closure of the narrow waterway. Any commercial vessels should also not make any movements would approval from Tehran’s armed forces, Iran’s military added.

Over the weekend, Trump unveiled what he called “Project Freedom,” a push to help reopen stalled shipping traffic through the strait, a vital conduit for a fifth of the world’s oil. Trump provided few details around the plan.

On Monday, the Associated Press reported that the U.S.-led Joint Maritime Information Center had set up an “enhanced security area” south of traditional shipping routes. Typical routes through the strait are considered to be “extremely hazardous” due to the presence of naval mines that “have not been fully surveyed and mitigated,” the center said, according to the AP.

Source: Investing.com