Tehran warns of imminent response after US seizes Iranian ship
- Iranian military spokesperson says response to US action against vessel is “certain”.
- Tehran cites safety of crew and families as reason for delayed retaliation.
An Iranian military spokesperson has said that a response to a recent US military action against an Iranian vessel is inevitable, but will be delayed until the safety of those on board is secured.
Military command signals “calculated response”
The spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters, Iran’s joint military command structure responsible for coordination between armed forces branches, said Tehran is currently operating under what he described as “operational constraints” in determining the timing of its response.
The official said the situation requires careful planning and warned that Iran’s reaction to the incident involving an Iranian vessel is certain, though not immediate.
Safety of crew cited
A central point in the statement was the condition of the ship and those on board.
The spokesperson said the delay in retaliation is linked to the presence of the vessel’s crew and their families, stressing that their safety must be ensured before any military action is taken.
“We will respond to the American attack on the Iranian ship after ensuring the safety of the ship’s crew and their families,” the official said.
Escalation amid maritime tensions
The Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters serves as a key coordination body within Iran’s armed forces, linking the regular military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The statement comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran over maritime security and recent confrontations at sea, though details of the specific incident have not been independently confirmed.
The United States has not yet issued a formal response to the claims made in the Iranian broadcast.
The announcement adds to growing uncertainty in regional waterways, where international monitoring has increased amid fears of further escalation.
