Iranian president says US naval blockade is 'doomed to fail'

The Iranian president said Thursday that the blockade of his country's ports by the United States is 'doomed to fail' and would only worsen disruptions in the Gulf.

"Any attempt to impose a maritime blockade is contrary to international law ... and is doomed to fail," Massoud Pezeshkian said in a statement, after a senior White House official mentioned that such a blockade could remain in place "for several months."

As these comments contributed to a surge in oil prices, the Iranian president argued that such measures "not only do not improve regional security, but are a source of tension and a long-term disturbance to stability in the Gulf."

Although a cease-fire has been in effect since April 8, the United States has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports since April 13.

In this context, Iran's armed forces have decided to maintain their control over the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's consumed hydrocarbons transited before the conflict.

They are threatening retaliation if Washington does not lift its blockade.

"We will not tolerate the naval blockade. If it continues, Iran will retaliate," Mohsen Rezaei, former commander in chief of the Revolutionary Guard and appointed in March as military adviser to the new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, warned on state television Wednesday.

He also cautioned against a renewed outbreak of hostilities between Iran and the United States, which, according to him, could result in the sinking of American ships and the death or imprisonment of many enemy soldiers.

And a senior Iranian navy official spoke of deploying "in the very near future" newly developed naval weapons.

Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad, for his part, downplayed the impact of the U.S.-led blockade, saying it "would produce no result."

"Employees in the oil industry are working tirelessly to ensure a smooth supply," he said.