By The South Asia Times

TEHRAN - Iran has warned it could halt all regional trade flows if the United States continues enforcing a naval blockade, escalating tensions despite a fragile ceasefire, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency.

Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters, said the US move amounts to a violation of the ceasefire and could trigger sweeping countermeasures across key maritime routes.

“If the US continues its illegal maritime blockade and creates insecurity for Iranian vessels and oil tankers, Iran will not allow any exports or imports in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea,” Abdollahi said in a statement released Wednesday.

He added that Iran would take “decisive action” to defend its sovereignty and national interests.

The warning comes amid renewed tensions following a two-week ceasefire brokered on April 8, which had aimed to open a path for diplomacy after weeks of intense conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel.

Hostilities began on February 28, when Tehran said US and Israeli strikes targeted senior leadership and military commanders, triggering a 40-day exchange of attacks involving missile and drone strikes on regional military assets.

Diplomatic efforts in Islamabad -- where Iran presented a 10-point proposal including US troop withdrawal and sanctions relief—failed to produce an agreement after more than 20 hours of negotiations. Iranian officials cited a lack of trust in US commitments.

Shortly after the talks stalled, President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade targeting vessels linked to Iran, particularly in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The US military confirmed the blockade began earlier this week, marking a significant escalation and raising concerns over global energy supplies and maritime security.

The Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waterways are critical arteries for global oil and gas shipments, and any disruption could have far-reaching economic consequences.

Iran’s latest warning signals a potential expansion of the conflict beyond the Gulf, with threats to shipping lanes extending into the Red Sea and beyond.

With negotiations stalled and both sides hardening positions, analysts warn that the situation risks spiraling into a broader regional confrontation unless diplomatic efforts resume quickly.