Iran threatens to attack Americans, if they want to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz

Published on 04/05/2026 at 15:35

Reading time: 1min – Video: 2min

In the Middle East, Iran reacted on Monday, May 4, following comments by Donald Trump, who said he wants to free the ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic in the area has come to a halt, and Tehran now threatens to attack the American army if it approaches.

This text corresponds to part of the transcription of the above report. Click on the video to watch it in full.

An image was published on Sunday, May 3 by an Iranian news agency. A container ship is still stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, along with hundreds of other ships for over two months. Donald Trump announced on Monday morning the order for an armed escort to help the boats leave. “We will guide the ships safely out of the restricted waterways, so they can freely resume their business,” assured the U.S. president on social media.

Operation name: “Project Liberty.” For over two months, more than 1,000 boats and 20,000 sailors have been blocked by the conflict. To escort the ships, the U.S. military says it will mobilize air forces, missile-launching destroyers, and 15,000 soldiers. The United States warns that any interference by Iran will be met with force.

This morning on Iranian television, the presenter read the response from the Revolutionary Guards: “We warn any foreign armed force, particularly the aggressive American army. If they want to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz, they will be targeted and attacked.” Iran claims it can defend its control of the strait, including with small, fast, easily deployable boats.

“The risk, if American boats protect tankers leaving the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian boats decide to fire a missile, for example, if the U.S. military retaliates, automatically we can consider that there is an escalation and the ceasefire is in danger,” explains Etienne Leenhardt, head of foreign affairs at France Télévisions.

The specter of a new military escalation looms as peace negotiations progress slowly.