DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — On Saturday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy issued a stern warning, stating that any attack on Iranian oil tankers or commercial vessels would provoke a “heavy assault” on one of the U.S. bases in the region and enemy ships. This warning comes even as a fragile ceasefire is seemingly in place.
The warning was broadcasted on Iranian state TV a day after the United States targeted two Iranian oil tankers, raising questions about the durability of the ceasefire that the U.S. claims is still in effect. The U.S. military justified its actions by alleging that the tankers attempted to breach their blockade of Iran’s ports.
Meanwhile, Bahrain, which is home to the U.S. Navy’s regional headquarters, reported the arrest of dozens of individuals allegedly linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Washington awaits Iran’s response to its latest offer aimed at ending the conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz for shipping, and reducing Tehran’s contentious nuclear program. Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated that Moscow’s offer to take enriched uranium from Iran to facilitate negotiations is still available.
Bahrain Reports Arrests Linked to Revolutionary Guard Funding
Bahrain announced the detention of 41 individuals who it claims are connected to the Revolutionary Guard. The interior ministry stated that investigations revealed their contact with the Guard and their efforts to collect funds “with the aim of sending them to Iran” to support “terrorist operations.”
The small island nation in the Persian Gulf is governed by a Sunni Muslim monarchy, yet it has a majority Shiite population similar to Iran. Human rights organizations have accused the kingdom of exploiting the conflict between Iran and the U.S., which has its Fifth Fleet stationed in Bahrain, to suppress dissent.
Iran issued a stern warning to Bahrain: “Siding with the U.S.-backed resolution will bring severe consequences. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital lifeline; do not risk closing it on yourselves FOREVER,” Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliamentary national security commission, stated on social media.
Since the U.S. and Israel initiated the conflict on Feb. 28, Iran has largely restricted access to this crucial waterway for global energy, leading to a surge in fuel prices and disrupting world markets.
The U.S. has also imposed a blockade on Iran’s ports. The U.S. Central Command reported on Saturday that its forces have turned back 58 commercial ships and “disabled” four since the blockade began on April 13.
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Britain’s Warship Deployment to the Middle East
The British defense ministry announced the deployment of a warship to the Middle East, ready to participate in a potential mission to safeguard commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities cease.
The ministry stated that the HMS Dragon will “preposition” in the region to join a security plan led by the U.K. and France. France has also revealed plans to move its aircraft carrier strike group into the Red Sea in anticipation.
Britain and France have spearheaded discussions with several countries to form a coalition aimed at reestablishing freedom of navigation in the strait. However, they emphasize that this initiative will only commence once a sustainable ceasefire is achieved and the maritime industry is confident in the safe passage of ships through the strait.
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Diplomatic Efforts Persist ‘Day and Night’
U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated threats to resume extensive bombing if Iran fails to agree to reopen the strait and reduce its nuclear activities. On Friday, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei remarked that the country is not concerned with “deadlines,” as reported by the state-run IRNA.
Diplomatic discussions are ongoing. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that his nation is in constant communication with the U.S. and Iran “day and night” to extend the ceasefire and reach a peace agreement.
Russia’s foreign ministry, along with Saudi Arabia, is advocating for diplomatic endeavors to secure a “sustainable, long-term agreement” to resolve the conflict.
Separately, Putin informed reporters in Moscow that taking enriched uranium from Iran to facilitate negotiations would allow everyone to see “how much of it there is, and where it is located,” and “all of this would be placed under the control of the IAEA,” the U.N. nuclear watchdog.
Egyptian and Qatari senior diplomats reiterated that diplomacy remains the sole path to a resolution, according to a summary of a phone conversation between the two foreign ministers.
Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen or heard from publicly since the conflict began, leading to speculation about his status.
On Friday, a high-ranking Iranian official assured that Khamenei is in “complete health” and will eventually make a public appearance. Mazaher Hosseini, associated with the office of Iran’s late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the onset of the conflict, made this statement at a pro-government gathering. Hosseini mentioned that Mojtaba, Khamenei’s son, sustained knee and back injuries during the initial attacks of the war but has mostly recovered.
Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.
