JAKARTA - The head of the Iranian Parliament ensured that the State of the Mullahs would not bow to any threats, following President Donald Trump's order to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, after the United States' negotiations with Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan at the weekend were deadlocked.
"If they fight, we will fight, and if they present a logical argument, we will face it with logic. We will not submit to any threat, let them test our determination once again so that we can give them a bigger lesson," said Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf who led the Iranian delegation after returning to Tehran from Islamabad, as reported by several Iranian news agencies, launching Al Arabiya (13/4).
Previously, President Trump ordered the US Navy to block the vital shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz, angered by Iran's refusal to give up its nuclear ambitions after peace talks in Pakistan failed without an agreement.
In a lengthy statement on his social media platform, the Republican politician said the ultimate goal is to clear the strait of mines and reopen it to all shipping, but in the meantime Iran should not be allowed to take advantage of its control over the waterway.
"Starting now, the United States Navy, the Best in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKING all Ships attempting to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz," he wrote.
"Every Iranian who shoots at us, or peaceful vessels, will be DESTROYED!" he continued.
Tehran is known to have restricted traffic through the strait - a key route for global oil and gas shipments - while allowing vessels deemed to be working for friendly countries, such as China, to pass.
There are unconfirmed reports that Tehran plans to impose a toll.
"THIS IS THE WORLD'S RAPE," Trump said.
"I have also instructed our Navy to search and intercept any ship in international waters that has paid a fee to Iran. No one who pays an illegal fee will have a safe path in the open sea. We will also start destroying the mines planted by Iran in the Strait," he continued.
Meanwhile, the head of the Iranian Navy, Shahram Irani, called President Trump's threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz "silly," after marathon talks between Tehran and Washington in Islamabad failed to produce an agreement to end the war in the Middle East.
"The brave soldiers of the Iranian military navy monitor and supervise all the aggressive movements of American troops in the region. The US president's threat to blockade Iran at sea is very ridiculous and funny," he said, according to state television.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said any military vessel attempting to approach the Strait of Hormuz would be considered a violation of a two-week ceasefire with the US and would be dealt with "harshly and firmly."
"The Strait of Hormuz is under the control and 'intelligent management' of the Iranian navy," the IRGC said in a statement reported by Iranian state media, adding that the strait "is open to safe passage of non-military vessels in accordance with special regulations."
Separately, the US military said on Saturday two Navy warships crossed the strait to begin clearing it of mines and ensuring it was a "safe passage" for tankers, a claim denied by Tehran.
President Trump then in an interview on Fox News again threatened Iran's energy infrastructure, before warning that he would impose a 50 percent tariff on Chinese imports if Beijing tried to help the Iranian military.
"I could destroy Iran in one day. I could have all their energy, everything, every power plant," he said.
Trump's latest ultimatum appears to have been triggered by the failure of talks to reach an agreement to end the six-week-old war.
Iran's refusal to waive its rights to the nuclear program frustrated the US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
"I have always said, from the very beginning, and many years ago, IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE NUCLEAR WEAPONS!" Trump said.
"The blockade will begin soon. Other countries will be involved in this blockade," he added, without mentioning which countries.
After the talks - the highest-level meeting between the two sides since the 1979 Islamic Revolution - Vance warned Washington had given Tehran "the last and best offer" for a deal, adding: "We'll see if Iran accepts it."
Ghalibaf said he had "put forward constructive initiatives" but the US team had not won Iran's trust.
The failure of the talks will raise concerns that a return to fighting could push world energy prices higher and further disrupt oil and gas shipments and facilities.
Pakistan urged both countries to continue to respect the temporary ceasefire.
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