TEHRAN, May 04 (AFP): Iran's military said Monday that US forces would be attacked if they entered the Strait of Hormuz, after US President Donald Trump announced Washington would begin escorting ships through the blocked waterway.
"We warn that any foreign armed force-especially the aggressive US military-if they intend to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz, will be targeted and attacked," said Major General Ali Abdollahi of the Iranian military's central command, in a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB.
"We have repeatedly stated that the security of the Strait of Hormuz is under the control of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and under all circumstances, any safe passage must be coordinated with these forces," he added.
Meanwhile, US guided-missile destroyers have entered the Gulf as part of a mission to escort ships through the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway, the US military said on Monday.
The warships "are currently operating in the Arabian Gulf after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in support of Project Freedom," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on X, referring to the operation announced by President Donald Trump on Sunday.
"American forces are actively assisting efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping," CENTCOM said, adding that "two US-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz and are safely headed on their journey."
Tehran's forces effectively closed the strait -- a key route for oil and gas shipments -- in response to the US-Israeli military campaign that began on February 28, while Washington is maintaining a blockade of Iranian ports.
UAE condemns Iran drone attack
on Hormuz oil tanker
The UAE on Monday strongly condemned an Iranian drone attack on an ADNOC oil tanker in the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, as the US was due to start guiding ships through the waterway.
Two drones hit the MV Barakah off the coast of Oman but no one was injured, according to ADNOC, the UAE state oil giant, adding that the ship was not loaded.
"Targeting commercial shipping and using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of economic coercion or blackmail represents acts of piracy by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps," the United Arab Emirates foreign ministry said.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency earlier reported that projectiles struck a ship in the same area late on Sunday.
The latest incident came as President Donald Trump said the US would start guiding ships through the vital waterway from Monday.
Hezbollah condemns 'Israeli aggression'
despite Lebanon truce
Hezbollah's leader on Monday condemned Israel's operations in Lebanon amid a fragile ceasefire, repeating the group's rejection of direct negotiations between the Israeli and Lebanese governments.
Israel has kept up deadly strikes on Lebanon despite the April 17 ceasefire that sought to halt more than six weeks of war between its military and Hezbollah, with both sides accusing the other of violating the truce.
In Lebanon's south near the Israeli border, the Israeli army has also demolished buildings and prevented residents of dozens of towns from returning.
"There is no ceasefire in Lebanon, but a continuous Israeli-American aggression," Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said in a written statement broadcast by the Al-Manar TV channel, which is affiliated with the Iran-backed militant group.
"Lebanon is the victim of aggression, and it is Lebanon that needs guarantees for its security and sovereignty" from Israel, he added.
He criticized the direct talks, saying they put Lebanon "under tutelage," and instead called for diplomacy that leads to an end to the war that began on March 2.
"Direct negotiations are a gratuitous concession, without results," he said.
"So do not betray the resistance."
