Trump Threatens to Destroy Iranian Warships Approaching US Naval Blockade

Washington D.C. US President Donald Trump has announced a US 'naval blockade' on Iranian ports, stating that the US military will destroy any Iranian warship that approaches the blockade zone.

"Caution! If these (Iranian) ships approach our declared blockade zone, they will be attacked immediately," President Trump wrote on his social media platform, 'Truth Social Network'.

Referring to an aerial strike on a suspected drug boat off the coast of Venezuela, President Trump said, "The US military will use the same assets and systems we used to destroy the 'warships' deployed in the Caribbean Sea against 'drug traffickers' to destroy Iranian warships at sea."

Iran has already closed the Strait of Hormuz to enemy vessel traffic, allowing only ships serving friendly nations like China to pass.

Amid fears that the new standoff could halt further tanker movements, crude oil prices rose by nearly eight percent on Monday. Spain has labeled the US blockade warning as a 'useless provocation'.

Similarly, China has also opposed the blockade warning. China imports a large portion of its fuel supply from Iran.

Meanwhile, the UK and France have stated they will not participate in the US blockade. Instead, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France and the UK will host a conference with countries willing to join a 'peaceful multinational mission' to secure the Strait.