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Trump warns Iran boats breaching US blockade will be 'eliminated'
The US military would use the same lethal tactics it employs against drug-smuggling boats at sea, the President said
- PUBLISHED: Mon 13 Apr 2026, 6:57 PM
- By:
- AFP
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.]
US President Donald Trump said US forces would destroy any Iranian "fast attack ships" that approach the American naval blockade of Iranian ports that came into effect on Monday.
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"Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED," Trump said on his Truth Social network, adding that the rest of Iran's navy had been "completely obliterated."
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The US military would be "using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea," the US President said, referring to air strikes on alleged narcotics boats off the coast of Venezuela.
US Centcom announced yesterday that forces would blockade maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports. The blockade came into effect on April 13, 6pm UAE time, according to the US military.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israel supports Trump's decision to impose a naval blockade on Iran, adding that his government is in full coordination with Washington on the matter.
"Iran violated the rules (of the peace talks in Pakistan), President Trump decided to impose a naval blockade," Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting, according to a video statement released by his office.
"We, of course, support this firm position, and we are in constant coordination with the United States."