Trump shakes fist, then claims Iran contact again

US President Donald Trump said Iran had reached out to his administration about peace talks, after he warned on Monday that any “quick attack” ship approaching Iran’s naval blockade would be eliminated. He made the threat shortly after the US blockade of ships entering and leaving Iran went into effect on Monday.

“We were called this morning by the right people, the proper people, and they want to reach an agreement,” Trump said in his speech at the White House.

Also read: Trump warns Iranian Navy ships will be eliminated if they obstruct Hormuz ‘blockade’

Meanwhile, a senior Justice Department official threatened to “violently prosecute” anyone who buys or sells sanctioned Iranian oil.

An Iranian military spokesman called any American restrictions on international shipping “piracy” and warned that no port in the Gulf or Gulf of Oman would be safe if Iranian ports were threatened. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said any military ship approaching the strait would violate the ceasefire.

Describing the Iranian navy as “completely destroyed,” Trump said: “What we couldn’t hit were the small number of ships they call ‘fast attack ships,’ because we didn’t see them as much of a threat. Warning: If any of these ships come near our blockade, they will be eliminated immediately using the same kill system we use against drug dealers at sea. It’s fast and ruthless.”
Also read: Trump’s naval blockade of Hormuz is economic war and hurts global economy

Trump said the US blockade is an effort to prevent Iran from controlling the strait and benefiting economically while the world suffers from the closure of the strait. “This is a worldwide usurpation and the Leaders of Countries, especially the United States of America, will never be usurped,” he said.