Iran threatens Donald Trump, dares US to deploy warships in Middle East; says will continue to strike Gulf nations

Tehran: As the Iran-US conflict enters its third week, tensions in West Asia are escalating rapidly. With the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford—America's most advanced aircraft carrier—to the region, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stern warning to the United States in response. In a statement to Press TV, IRGC spokesperson Ali Mohammad Naeini remarked that the missiles utilized in the conflict thus far are at least a decade old. He asserted that a stockpile of new weaponry—developed following the US-Israel confrontation last June—has yet to be deployed.

What did the Republican Guards say?

Reiterating Iran's absolute control over the Strait of Hormuz, Naeini declared that if the adversary claims to have annihilated their naval forces, they should dare to bring their warships into the Persian Gulf. Indeed, the US President has repeatedly claimed that Iran's military has been decimated and that its naval forces are now rendered useless. In this context, Naeini's latest statement is being viewed as a direct retort to President Trump. Furthermore, it is being interpreted as an open challenge.

It is worth noting that since the outbreak of hostilities, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—a vital conduit for the transport of approximately one-fifth of the world's crude oil—has been severely disrupted. To address this crisis, US President Donald Trump reached out to seven nations, urging them to dispatch warships to the strait; however, both Japan and Australia have declined to participate.

What waning did Iran give to US?

Significantly, on Saturday, Iran designated US military bases, ports, and docks located within the UAE as legitimate military targets. Citing the Fars News Agency, reports indicate that major ports such as Fujairah, Jebel Ali, and Port Khalifa remain designated targets due to the presence of US military forces. Just hours later, a drone strike in Fujairah ignited a massive fire at a petrochemical complex, resulting in the temporary suspension of oil-loading operations. This attack took place on the UAE's sole alternative export route, situated outside the Strait of Hormuz.

It is worth noting that the conflict involving Iran has triggered a massive surge in global crude oil prices, impacting the economies of numerous nations. No immediate resolution to the crisis appears to be in sight; meanwhile, fresh warnings continue to be issued by both sides, causing tensions to escalate further. All eyes are now fixed on how the United States responds to Iran's latest threat.