The Iranian army has warned countries complying with US sanctions against the Islamic Republic that they will 'face difficulties' crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
Army official Mohammad Akraminia told Iran's official IRNA news agency that countries imposing sanctions on Iran will 'certainly face difficulties' crossing the strategic waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for the global flow of oil, and Iran has been restricting traffic through the waterway, with the US imposing a blockade of Iranian ports.
Akraminia claimed that Iran has established a new legal and security framework requiring all vessels passing through the strait to coordinate with Iranian authorities.
Gulf countries have condemned Iran's actions, with Qatar's prime minister warning that using the Strait of Hormuz as a 'pressure card' will only deepen the Middle East crisis.
The US and Bahrain have reportedly drafted a UN resolution calling on Iran to halt restrictions on the shipping waterway.
