Iranian state media outlet Press TV suggested that a U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could provoke a similar situation in the Bab al-Mandeb strait.

Iran has threatened to retaliate against any attack on its ports by launching similar strikes on the ports of other nations in the Persian Gulf.

Iran has implicitly threatened to use its proxies, such as the Houthis, to expand the conflict to the Red Sea coast, which is a key route for remaining Gulf oil exports.

The primary obstacle in U.S.-Iran negotiations is the fate of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile and its commitment to cease future enrichment.

Iran considers its nuclear enrichment activities to be an inalienable sovereign right.