Tehran [Iran], April 21 (ANI): The commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Ali Abdollahi, has warned of a strong response to any “breach of covenant” by the “enemy” (U.S.), while praising public support for the country’s armed forces, according to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.
Abdollahi said Iran remains prepared to act decisively in the face of threats. “We are ready to give a decisive response to the enemy’s breach of covenant,” he said, as quoted by Tasnim. He also pointed to strong domestic backing for Iran’s military establishment, stating, “The people of Iran, with their enthusiastic and widespread presence in the squares and streets, have not abandoned their support for the armed forces.”
The remarks come as Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has demanded the urgent release of a commercial ship and its personnel following a maritime incident involving U.S. forces. According to Tasnim, the response follows the boarding and seizure of the Iranian-flagged container ship Touska on Sunday.
Tehran has formally denounced the American operation, describing it as a severe escalation in regional waters. The ministry issued a statement condemning the “U.S. assault on an Iranian commercial vessel,” outlining grievances regarding the seizure of the ship and the reported detention of its crew and their families.
The statement called for the unconditional release of all individuals detained during the mission. “The Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes the necessity of the immediate release of the Iranian vessel and its sailors, crew, and their families,” the ministry said.
According to Tasnim, the Iranian government has warned that such actions by Washington could destabilize the Middle East. Placing responsibility for any escalation on the United States, the ministry stated that “the full responsibility for the further complication of the situation in the region lies with the United States.”
These diplomatic demands follow the release of footage by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Monday documenting the maritime operation. The video, shared on X, shows Marines departing the USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship, by helicopter to intercept the container vessel in the Gulf of Oman.
The footage shows personnel fast-roping onto the deck of the ship during the operation. The boarding comes amid heightened focus on security and monitoring of commercial shipping lanes in the region.
Iran’s Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters has since confirmed the incident, describing it as an attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman. In a statement carried by Tasnim, Tehran accused the U.S. of “violating the ceasefire and committing maritime piracy” by firing on the ship.
The Iranian military further claimed that U.S. forces disabled the vessel’s navigation system and deployed Marines onto its deck, confirming that the ship had been seized.
Following the incident, the Iranian military issued a warning of potential retaliation. “We warn that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond to and retaliate against this armed piracy by the U.S. military,” the statement said, further escalating tensions between the two nations.
The incident comes at a critical juncture, as the two-week ceasefire between the sides is set to conclude on April 22. (ANI)
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