Iran warns US against ‘being dragged back into quagmire’ amid rising tensions over Strait of Hormuz

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Iran has warned the US against being dragged back into the war – as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz escalated. 

“Events in Hormuz make clear that there’s no military solution to a political crisis,” the regime’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X Monday.

“As talks are making process with Pakistan’s gracious effort, the U.S. should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire by ill-wishers.” 

A large plume of smoke comes from the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone in the United Arab Emirates after an apparent Iranian drone strike. Storyful

Araghchi also warned the United Arab Emirates – which was reportedly targeted by Iranian drones – and mocked President Trump’s Project Freedom initiative to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Project Freedom is Project Deadlock,” he scoffed.

On Monday, US forces sank seven small Iranian boats deployed to harass vessels stuck in the strait, while Trump told Fox News the clerical regime would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if it attacks US-flagged ships.

“We have more weapons and ammunition at a much higher grade than we had before,” Trump told Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst. 

“We have the best equipment. We have stuff all over the world. We have these bases all over the world. They’re all stocked up with equipment. We can use all of that stuff, and we will, if we need it.”

Trump did say that the regime has become more “malleable” regarding peace talks.

Two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near Bandar Abbas, Iran, on Monday. via REUTERS

Two US Navy destroyers, The USS Truxtun and USS Mason, managed to transit the strait despite facing a barrage of Iranian missiles, small boats, and drones, defense officials told CBS News. 

The destroyers, supported by Apache helicopters, were not hit. 

US Navy MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters, AH-64 Apache helicopters, and F-16 fighter jets are among more than 100 land and sea-based aircraft supporting Project Freedom, which Central Command describes as a “defensive” operation. 

President Trump’s Project Freedom initiative is a move to ensure marine traffic through the Strait of Hormuz starts flowing. MarineTraffic.com

Iran has taken “some shots” at vessels – including a South Korean cargo ship, according to President Trump.

“Perhaps it’s time for South Korea to come and join the mission!” Trump suggested in a Truth Social post. 

South Korea has since said it would “carefully review” its stance after confirming the HMM Namu ship was struck.

The strike caused an explosion and fire on board, but Seoul has not yet committed to joining US forces in the strait.

President Trump said the US Navy would guide foreign ships through the strait, Axios reported, after a US official said naval vessels would be “in the vicinity” if they needed to stop Iran from targeting commercial ships.

Iran has warned it will attack any foreign force if it approaches or tries to enter the strait. 

“We would preserve and firmly manage the security of the Strait of Hormuz with full capability, advising all commercial vessels and oil tankers to refrain from any attempt to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without coordination with the Armed Forces (of Iran) stationed there in order not to endanger their security,” Ali Abdollahi, Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters, said.

An Iranian military source told the state’s Tasnim News Agency Tehran was ready for any scenario.

“In addition to firing at US combat vessels, Iran has also prepared other scenarios that it will implement if necessary, they said.

Last month, Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammed-Bagher Ghalibaf, said the country had prepared during the cease-fire – before threatening to reveal “new cards” if the conflict resumes.

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