Khaberni - American War Minister Pete Higseth said that Iranians may start shooting, but it is not wise, following the imposition of an American naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Higseth added at a press conference that Iran cannot rebuild its capabilities, adding that US President Donald Trump is capable of crippling them but "chose mercy".
He mentioned that the United States had killed many Iranian leaders, adding that the new Iranian leader Mojtaba Khamenei is injured and in poor health.
The United States began enforcing the naval blockade on Iran on Monday evening following the failure of negotiations regarding stopping the Iran war that began on February 28.
The U.S. Central Command said in a notice to mariners that the American military would enforce maritime control in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz, and that this measure would include all ships regardless of the flag they fly.
The note stated that maritime control would take effect at 14:00 GMT on Monday.
The notice stated "Any vessel entering or leaving the blockaded area without permission will be subject to interception, redirection, or detention."
It stated "The control will not impede the movement of neutral navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian destinations."
The blockade on Iranian ports begins following the failure of negotiations between them in Islamabad, leading to a rise in oil prices.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the date and wrote on the Truth Social platform "The United States will impose a blockade on ships entering and leaving Iranian ports from April 13 at 10 AM" Washington time.
The sudden announcement of the blockade, along with the failure of negotiations in Islamabad, raised new concerns about global oil supplies.
