An Iranian military source has warned that clashes in the Persian Gulf would resume if U.S. ships seek to reenter the gulf and "cause trouble for Iranian vessels", Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported on Friday.
The warning came after Iranian and U.S. forces exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, with Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) reporting sporadic skirmishes with U.S. ships in the Strait on Friday.
Iranian media reports said on Friday that strikes can be heard in regions adjacent to the Strait, with explosions occurring in areas including south Iran cities Sirik, Bandar Abbas, and Minab. The cause of the explosions remains unclear.
Later in the day, Tasnim News Agency quoted a military source saying the situation in the Persian Gulf had stabilized for the moment. However, if U.S. ships move to enter the Persian Gulf again, "they will receive a decisive response again."
"Therefore, there exists the possibility of the resumption of such conflicts in the region," said the source.
As of Friday morning, ship tracking data showed no large vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz for a second consecutive day.
According to Iranian sources on Friday, Iran has begun drafting new legislation concerning the Strait. The head of Iran's parliamentary committee on national security said lawmakers, together with the foreign ministry and ports and maritime organizations, have been holding meetings to discuss the bill, which will be submitted for deliberation once parliament reconvenes.
Clashes may resume if U.S. ships seek to reenter Persian Gulf: source
As anticipation builds for the upcoming meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump, international figures worldwide have expressed hope that the exchange will chart a course for stable China-U.S. relations and deliver positive ripple effects for global peace and prosperity.
At the invitation of Xi, Trump will pay a state visit to China from Wednesday to Friday.
The trip marks the first visit to China by a U.S. president in nine years, since Trump visited during his first term in office back in 2017.
In an interview with China Media Group, Eugene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, emphasized the vast cooperation opportunities between the United States and China, as well as the critical importance of sustained dialogue.
"The two largest economies in the world have much trade, cultural exchange and education opportunities. We, at the Port of Los Angeles, we'd like to see that continue to grow to new heights. At the Port of Los Angeles, 40 percent of our business portfolio is trade with China, so very important. When those policies were loosened and both sides started talking more, we saw cargo volume pick up again, so important to the American consumers, to American jobs and to bolster Sino-U.S. relations," said Seroka.
The sentiment is echoed far beyond American shores. Fernando Huanacuni, former foreign minister of Bolivia, described the upcoming leaders' meeting as "an important milestone" and "a watershed moment".
"The upcoming meeting between Chinese and U.S. presidents is an important milestone and a watershed moment. The agenda of this summit will focus not only on bilateral issues of mutual concern, but also on major international topics. As the world seeks balance across the global economy, technology, trade, and geopolitics, China is undoubtedly playing a crucial role. For this reason, the meeting has aroused widespread anticipation," said Huanacuni.
In Europe, Janusz Piechocinski, former deputy prime minister of Poland, underscored the necessity and significance of the presidential engagement, pointing to the tangible impact of last October's summit between the two leaders in Busan of the Republic of Korea.
"The U.S. president's visit to China and his upcoming meeting with President Xi Jinping are both highly significant and greatly necessary. Last year's summit between the two leaders effectively eased trade frictions, injected greater confidence into the world, and helped stabilize bilateral relations. We look forward to this meeting yielding positive outcomes and bringing greater stability and certainty to the world," said Piechocinski.
Int'l figures anticipate Xi-Trump meeting to be catalyst for stable relations, global prosperity
