Vice president JD Vance has accused Iran of perpetrating “economic terrorism” through their control of the Strait of Hormuz as a US blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas came into effect on Monday.
“They’ve basically threatened any ship that's moving through the Straits of Hormuz,” he told Fox News. “Well, as the President of the United States showed, two can play at that game.”
He said that the United States would ensure that “no Iranian ships are getting out either” if Iran engaged in “economic terrorism”.
The US military has warned vessels that they will be subject to “interception, diversion and capture” regardless of flag, according to a note sent from US Central Command.
Iran responded by threatening ports belonging to American allies in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
President Donald Trump said he was still willing to engage with Iran, saying he had spoken to "the other side” and they wanted to make a deal, but added he will not come to any agreement that allows Tehran to have a nuclear weapon.
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian told his French counterpart that “threatening the Strait of Hormuz will have widespread consequences for the world,” referring to Trump’s blockade.
