Iranian lawmaker dismisses US naval blockade, warns of retaliation

An Iranian member of parliament has dismissed a US naval blockade as “meaningless,” saying Iranian vessels are continuing to operate despite the restrictions.

“In our view, this blockade is meaningless and we do not consider ourselves bound by it. That is why our ships are passing through and are ignoring this blockade,” Mohammadreza Mohseni Sani told the Iran-based news website Didban Iran, Iran International reports. 

Mohseni Sani, who sits on parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee, also issued a warning invoking Islamic legal principles of retribution.

“We will carry out Qisas against any American we capture,” he said.

The lawmaker further expressed scepticism about prospects for diplomatic engagement with Washington, accusing the United States of violating a ceasefire agreement and signalling that he does not expect any near-term agreement between the two countries.

By Sabina Mammadli