Iran Warns of Retaliation if US Enforces Naval Blockade in Hormuz

Tensions in the Persian Gulf surged after the United States announced plans to enforce a naval blockade on Iranian ports, an act that Tehran has sharply condemned as illegal and tantamount to piracy. The blockade, set to commence Monday at 14:00 GMT, aims to cut off maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports in both the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Iran's military command has vowed to respond, warning that if its own ports are threatened, no Gulf ports will be safe from reprisal. The state