Iran threatens US Navy in the Red Sea

(Patria) - The Iranian army has warned that it will consider US Navy objects in the Red Sea as "potential targets", which is Tehran's first direct threat to the American military presence on that crucial maritime route. The warning refers to the presence of the American aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford in the region, CNN writes.

"We consider the presence of the American aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford in the Red Sea a threat to Iran," the joint military command of Iran announced on Monday, as reported by the semi-official Fars news agency. "Therefore, logistics and service centers providing support to the aforementioned naval group in the Red Sea will be considered potential targets of the Iranian armed forces."

The Red Sea hosts several Saudi ports through which oil exports and other commercial maritime traffic take place. Saudi Arabia is increasing oil exports from Yanbu and other terminals on its Red Sea coast due to the almost complete interruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.