Iran condemns US Hormuz blockade rhetoric as ‘revenge against global economy’
Sahin Demir
13 April 2026•Update: 13 April 2026
By Sahin Demir
ISTANBUL (AA) — Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei on Monday criticized US blockade measures targeting Iranian ports and questioned whether escalation affecting global trade could achieve strategic gains after warnings from US
President Donald Trump.
In a post on US social media company X, Baghaei wrote: “Can an illegal ‘war of choice’ be won through a ‘revenge of choice’ against the global economy?! Is it ever worthwhile to cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face?!”
His remarks came after President Donald Trump warned that any Iranian vessels approaching a US-imposed blockade of Iranian ports would be “immediately eliminated.”
Trump said on Truth Social that Iran’s navy had been “completely obliterated,” claiming that 158 vessels had been destroyed, while warning remaining ships not to approach US forces enforcing the blockade.
The warning followed the start of a US Central Command (CENTCOM) operation to block maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports.
CENTCOM said the blockade would be enforced “impartially against vessels of all nations” calling at Iranian ports in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, while adding that freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to non-Iranian ports would not be affected.