Donald Trump hints at renewed strike on Iran after midterms

Iran vows to never allow US warships into the Persian Gulf

US President Donald Trump arrives at an international airport in Florida on Friday (local time), stepping off Air Force One. [Reuters]
US President Donald Trump arrives at an international airport in Florida on Friday (local time), stepping off Air Force One. [Reuters]

Iran's military has pushed back after US President Donald Trump suggested he could strike Iran again following the midterm elections.

Iran's armed forces said Friday (local time) they would never allow US warships to enter Gulf waters under any circumstances.

Ali Abdollahi, chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, said the country would not permit American naval vessels into the Persian Gulf "under any circumstances, at any time," according to state broadcaster IRIB.

"The US president is clearly dreaming of seeing American forces enter the Persian Gulf," Abdollahi added. "He will take that dream to his grave."

Abdollahi also said Trump's statements were contradictory.

"President Trump repeatedly claims to have destroyed Iran's nuclear facilities, while at the same time constantly saying Iran must not possess nuclear weapons," he said.

"If everything has been destroyed, why does he keep repeating this nonsense?" he added.

Abdollahi said Iran's overarching strategy was to "drag its enemies deeper into the swamp of death and decline the longer this conflict continues."

Since the war broke out in February, Iran has restricted the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States responded by blockading Iranian ports and ships.

Iran is currently asserting control over the Strait of Hormuz on the basis of a ceasefire MOU it signed with the United States in June.


soohan@heraldcorp.com