Iran has threatened to attack US forces if they enter the Strait of Hormuz, after Donald Trump said the US would help stranded ships out of the passage
An estimated 20,000 seafarers on 2,000 ships have been stuck in the strait since the US-Iran war began in February, a UN agency says
Trump said the US military would start guiding stranded ships from Monday morning local time as a “humanitarian gesture”, adding many ships were running low on food – read his announcement in full
But the Iranian military insists it controls the strait, and that it will attack “any foreign armed force” that tries to enter – “especially the aggressive US army”
Iran’s statement makes clear the risk of new military confrontations – and a possible escalation endangering the weeks-long ceasefire, our Middle East correspondent writes
Reports say the US initiative doesn’t necessarily involve the US Navy escorting commercial vessels, but rather advising them on safe routes and staying close to prevent any Iranian attacks
Meanwhile, Pakistan said 22 crew members on an Iranian ship seized by the US will be handed over to Iranian authorities today
