Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Jul 31: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday warned of a "harsh and firm" response against countries supporting the United States in actions against Iran, amid heightened tensions in West Asia.

In a statement carried by Iranian media, the IRGC's Public Relations department cautioned the US' allies in West Asia and elsewhere to change their behaviour or face retaliation from Iran.

The IRGC claimed Iran's resolve had weakened the "enemy front" and also announced that two oil tankers attempting to pass through what it described as an unsafe shipping route south of the Strait of Hormuz had turned back after one of the vessels caught fire. The claim was reported by Iran's official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), but could not be independently verified.

Reiterating Tehran's position on the strategic waterway, the IRGC said the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran's full control and asserted that it would not allow outside powers to interfere in the region.

The force further warned that the Strait would not be reopened until what it called US threats and interference in maritime activities came to an end.

The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and is one of the world's most critical energy transit routes, carrying significant volumes of crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports from Gulf producers to global markets.

The statement comes amid renewed tensions following recent military exchanges between Iran and the United States.

On Wednesday, the IRGC claimed its Aerospace Force had targeted a US air base and the headquarters of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) in Jordan in retaliation for American military strikes on Iran. The claim has not been independently confirmed.

The IRGC also vowed to continue what it described as resistance until US military threats and hostile actions against Iran cease.

Meanwhile, Iran and Oman last week held technical-level talks in Tehran on measures to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei described the July 24-25 discussions as "useful and forward-looking", saying the two sides discussed practical mechanisms for ensuring safe maritime traffic while respecting the sovereign rights of the two littoral states.