Iran war: Pezeshkian says US blockade 'doomed to fail'
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that the US naval blockade of Iran's ports would exacerbate disruptions in the Gulf and also not achieve its objectives.
"Any attempt to impose a maritime blockade or restrictions is contrary to international law... and is doomed to fail," Pezeshkian said in a statement.
He also said that the measures would "not only fail to enhance regional security, but are in fact a source of tension and a disruption to lasting stability in the Persian Gulf."
The US declared the naval blockade on April 13, soon after the ceasefire that paused the more kinetic war with Iran. The White House and the US military meanwhile argue that it is effective and is restricting Iran's oil trade.
Iran's military has kept the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for a large chunk of global oil and gas exports, and has also threatened "to respond" further unless the US lifts the blockade, albeit without specifying how it might respond.
Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad told state TV that the US would not "gain any results" from the blockade, saying that industry employees were working around the clock to "ensure that there is no problem in providing services."
US military hails 'significant milestone' in 'highly effective' blockade
The US military's Central Command, responsible for operations in the region, issued a statement late on Wednesday saying its blockade against Iran was bearing fruit.
"Today, US forces achieved a significant milestone after successfully redirecting the 42nd commercial vessel attempting to violate the blockade," Admiral Brad Cooper said in a statement published online. He called this a "reflection of the outstanding work" from US troops to prevent maritime commerce from entering or exiting Iranian ports.
"Right now there are 41 tankers with 69 million barrels of oil that the Iranian regime can't sell," Cooper said. "That's an estimated $6 billion-plus from which Iran's leadership cannot financially benefit."
He concluded that the blockade was "highly effective."
