An Iranian army commander has threatened to break Donald Trump’s legs over remarks made about the Strait of Hormuz. Major General Amir Hatami’s comments were reported by Iranian broadcasters IRIB. Responding to Trump’s remarks, Hatami said: ‘Joking about such remarks is a major mistake, because this is Iran, and it has defenders who will break your legs.’ He added that the US forces had ‘effectively been driven out’ and no longer had permission to enter the Gulf, the Sea of Oman or the Strait of Hormuz.
Hatami also said US bases would not be allowed to return to their previous status, adding that ‘Iran will never allow this.’ Iranian officials previously told Trump to ‘accept the reality of defeat’ after declaring that it would not resume talks with the US with the Strait of Hormuz set to remain closed. The US and Iran continue their conflict and dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, with Trump having threatened to declare the vital waterway a US territory. In related news, Iran has executed a man convicted of running over police officers during anti-government protests in January.
Shahram Sadeghi was accused of deliberately driving his car into police officers, injuring seven and leaving one in a coma for three months. The Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced Sadeghi to death and confiscation of his assets for what authorities described as an ‘operational action’ in favor of Israel, the United States, and hostile groups under Iran’s espionage law. Meanwhile, Admiral Brad Cooper, the top US military commander in the Middle East, visited the USS Lincoln in the Arabian Sea.
The aircraft carrier has been supporting the US war against Iran, including the blockade on Iranian ports, and has been deployed for a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea of more than 240 days. Iran has also accused two French diplomats of conducting an ‘infiltration and interference’ operation inside the country. The intelligence ministry claimed that the diplomats were seen at a ‘secret meeting place’ with documents pointing to efforts to establish contacts and build networks.
