Iran's military says it will attack US forces if they enter the Strait of Hormuz - after Donald Trump announced an operation to guide ships out of the waterway.
A statement from the head of Iran's central command says that it will attack "any foreign armed force" that tries to approach or enter the strait, "especially, the aggressive US army".
Iran's foreign ministry says it is ready to "respond to US threats" in the strait.
In a statement shared by the semi-official Mehr news agency, spokesperson Esmail Baghaie says Iran remains the strait's "guardian and protector".
He adds: "Ships and shipping companies well know that ensuring their security requires coordination with the competent authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran."
Baghaie says there's no reason for countries who follow the rule of law to follow "illegal actions" by the US.
Earlier, the head of Iran's central command said it would attack "any foreign armed force" that tries to approach or enter the strait, "especially, the aggressive US army".
Major General Ali Abdollahi says that Iran has "repeatedly" stated that the strait "is under the control" of the Iranian armed forces, and safe passage through it must be coordinated with it "under all circumstances".
The statement was shared by the Iranian state broadcaster IRIB.
As a reminder, the US military says "guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members", will support "Project Freedom".
What you need to know about the Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital shipping lane in the Gulf, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) typically passes.
It also sees through about one-third of the world's fertiliser trade, as well as vital imports to the Middle East, including food, medicines and technological supplies.
Iran has severely limited traffic through the vital shipping route since the war began in February, while the US has launched its own rival blockade on Iranian ports.
An estimated 20,000 sailors have been trapped in the Gulf since the start of the war with Iran. There has been growing concern over dwindling supplies and the effects on sailors' physical and mental health
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