Iran threatens full blockade of Strait of Hormuz

Any military action in the Strait of Hormuz could result in its full closure for an indefinite period, a senior Iranian security official warned, Tasnim reports.

“Any enemy military operation in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz will lead to its complete blockade for an indefinite period. If the United States decides to launch a ground offensive against Iran, Tehran reserves the full right to deliver a fully symmetrical response to eliminate the threat,” the official said, according to the agency.

The warning comes amid a Wall Street Journal report outlining Pentagon plans to deploy around 10,000 troops to the Middle East, in addition to 5,000 Marines and several thousand paratroopers already sent to the region. Meanwhile, Bloomberg cites sources saying Washington has no immediate plans for a ground operation in Iran, though U.S. President Donald Trump could change that decision.