Iran threatens to target regional ports if its ports are attacked

Iran’s armed forces have threatened to target ports across the region if Iranian ports come under attack during any conflict with Israel and the United States, state television reported on Wednesday.

According to the broadcaster, an unnamed spokesperson for the armed forces said: “If our ports and docks are threatened, then all ports and docks in the region will be legitimate targets for us.”

The spokesperson warned that the armed forces would carry out “an operation more severe than what we have done so far” if Iranian ports were attacked.

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He also called on countries in the region to expel US forces from their territory.

Earlier, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) warned civilians not to approach ports used by Iran along the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Iran of using civilian ports to conduct military operations.

On March 2, Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz was closed and that it would attack any ships attempting to pass through this strategic waterway, through which approximately 20 million barrels of oil are transported daily.   The announcement pushed up shipping and insurance costs, raised oil prices and increased concerns about potential global economic consequences.

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