Iran responds to Trump warning about U.S. Navy vessels in Persian Gulf

Tehran on Thursday summoned the Swiss envoy in Iran and told him to deliver a warning to the United States about American forces in the Persian Gulf, according to Iranian media.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry told the envoy to pass along the message that Iran will defend its maritime rights, and will give “appropriate response” to threats or wrong moves, the Tasnim News Agency reported.

Switzerland represents U.S. diplomatic interests in Iran and handles issues that typically would be addressed by an embassy.

In a separate communique on Thursday, the head of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps spoke in more direct terms, the news agency reported.

“We (warn) the Americans that we are fully determined and serious in defending our national security, maritime borders, maritime interests, maritime security and security of our forces at sea and any (wrong) move (by enemies) will meet our decisive, effective and prompt response,” Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami said.

America should take heed from prior experience with Iran, Salami also reportedly said. 

“We have also ordered our military units at sea that if a vessel or military unit of the navy of the US’ terrorist military seeks to threaten the security of our civilian ships or combat vessels, they should target that (enemy) vessel or military unit,” Salami continued.

The message to the Swiss envoy and the statements from Salami came in response to warnings from the United States that it would not tolerate being harassed by Iranian boats in international waters. 

“I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea,” President Trump wrote in a tweet on Wednesday morning.