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‘We haven’t even started’: Iran warns of escalation as US buckles in Hormuz
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that the ongoing situation in the Strait of Hormuz is becoming “unbearable” for the United States, while Tehran has “not even started yet.”
In a post on X on Tuesday, Qalibaf asserted that a “new equation” is being established in the strategic waterway.
“The security of shipping and energy transit has been endangered by the United States and its allies through the violation of the ceasefire and the imposition of a blockade,” Qalibaf wrote. “Of course, their evil will be diminished.”
“We know very well that the continuation of the current situation is unbearable for the United States, while we haven’t even started yet,” he added.
Iran’s military on Monday warned that it will target any foreign forces approaching or entering the Strait of Hormuz after the US said it would help guide ships through the strategic waterway.
On Sunday, US President Donald Trump claimed that the new US maritime operation, which he dubbed "Project Freedom", was a humanitarian gesture for crews aboard the many ships stuck in the Persian Gulf who may be running low on supplies. He said the US would help ships from countries not involved in the conflict.
Shortly after Iran’s warning, Fars News Agency reported that a US frigate in the strait "was targeted by a missile attack after ignoring a warning from the Iranian navy," adding that it was hit and forced to turn back.
However, CENTCOM denied the report, saying that no US frigate was struck by the Iranian forces.
The Iranian Navy also fired warning shots at several US destroyers in the Sea of Oman, which tried to enter the strait.
FM: ‘Project Freedom’ turning to ‘Project Deadlock’
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also took to the X, saying that recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz have once again made it crystal clear that there is no military solution to the political crisis in the West Asian region, reaffirming the Islamic Republic’s policy of pursuing diplomacy from a position of strength.
In a post on X on Monday night, Araghchi highlighted steady progress in indirect talks between Iran and the United States, crediting Pakistan’s sincere and constructive mediation efforts.
“As talks are making progress thanks to Pakistan’s gracious efforts, the U.S. should be wary of being dragged back into a quagmire by ill-wishers. So should the UAE,” the top Iranian diplomat said.
Araghchi also sharply dismissed Washington’s much-publicized “Project Freedom” — a naval initiative aimed at exerting military pressure in the Strait of Hormuz — calling it “Project Deadlock.”
Iran shut down the chokepoint to enemies and their allies following the launch on February 28 of the United States' and the Israeli regime's latest bout of unprovoked aggression targeting the Islamic Republic.
The Islamic Republic began exercising far stricter controls last month after Trump announced a blockade of Iranian vessels and ports in continuation of the aggression and in violation of the terms of a ceasefire agreement reached between the two countries following peace negotiations in Pakistan.