Iran protests continued US blockade at same time Iranian navy chief claims it’s ’empty words’

The commander of the Iranian navy, Shahram Irani, says that US President Donald Trump “has blockaded his friends” and not Iran, as the US said its blockade will remain in place after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial traffic.

In a statement carried by Mizan, Iran’s official judiciary news agency, the navy chief says Trump’s blockade is just “empty words” and that no one is listening to him, while also denouncing it as “piracy and maritime theft.”

A spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, meanwhile, says the blockade is a violation of the ceasefire agreement.

In comments published by Iranian state media, Esmail Baghaei says the strait is still under the supervision of Iran, which is serious about its commitments. But if the US violates its own commitments, then Iran “will take the necessary reciprocal measures.”

“No leniency will be shown in this regard,” Baghaei says.