Iran also signalled that U.S. naval assets in the region could be targeted, with warships operating in the strategic waterway potentially vulnerable to missile strikes.
By PC Bureau
April 16, 2026: Iran has issued a sharp warning to the United States, threatening to target American forces and naval assets if Washington moves ahead with enforcing a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
Mohsen Rezaei, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and former commander of the Revolutionary Guards, said Iran could take thousands of U.S. troops hostage and strike American warships if tensions escalate further. Speaking on state television on Wednesday, Rezaei warned that U.S. vessels operating in the strategic waterway would be vulnerable to Iranian missile attacks.
He stated that American warships attempting to patrol or enforce control over the Strait could be “easily targeted and destroyed,” underscoring Iran’s readiness to respond militarily.
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In a further escalation, Rezaei suggested that a U.S. ground invasion would play into Iran’s hands, claiming Iranian forces could capture large numbers of American troops. He controversially added that such hostages could be used as leverage in negotiations.
The remarks come amid rising tensions linked to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict and increased U.S. naval presence in the region aimed at securing maritime routes. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, carrying a significant share of the world’s oil and gas exports, making any escalation in the area a major international concern.
Amid the escalating rhetoric, analysts warn that such threats significantly raise the risk of miscalculation in an already volatile region. Any confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz—through which a substantial share of global oil supplies passes—could disrupt energy markets, trigger sharp price spikes, and draw in regional and global powers, further complicating efforts to contain the crisis.
