Iranian forces issued a chilling "last warning" threat to an American warship, according to newly released audio. Iranian TV aired the recording which it claims was an interaction between the Islamic Republic's military and an American vessel which said it was transitting the narrow vital shipping route of the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. American Central Command (CENTCOM) said two US Navy guided-missile destroyers, the USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy, had entered the narrow channel in order to begin mine clearing operations.

The presence of the naval vessels appeared to signal possible progress in negotiations to end the US-Israel vs Iran war which had begun in Pakistan attended by Vice President JD Vance. But as emerged negotiations had collapsed, the Iranians released the audio showing how the USS Frank E. Peterson was threatened with attack by the Iranian navy. The Strait of Hormuz has been closed and mined by Iran after the US and Israel launched strikes against the Islamic Republic on February 28.

Closure of the strait has caused global market chaos as it usually handles 20% of the world's oil and gas tanker shipping.
On the audio released by Iranian TV, a voice can be heard telling the USS Frank E. Peterson that this is the Iranian Navy and "you must alter course and go back to the Indian Ocean immediately. If you don't obey my order, you will be targeted. Out."

An American voice from the ship responded: "This is coalition warship 121 (the number of the USS Frank E. Peterson) engaged in transit passage in accordance with international law. No challenge is intended to you."

The recording, which appears to have been clipped, continues with the Iranian navy voice repeating "last warning" three times as he addresses the warship. The recording does not reveal if there was a response.

Finally the recording plays the Iranian navy voice making another broadcast, in which he says: "Attention all vessels in Oman Sea, this is Iranian Sepah Navy, if you see any warship in your vicinity keep a distance more than 10 miles from them because I am ready to open fire on them, without any warning."

On Saturday US CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said the US Navy had begun operations to clear the strait of mines. He said: "Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce."

But by the evening the Iranian IRGC Navy had said: "The IRGC Navy fully and authoritatively manages the intelligent control of the Strait of Hormuz.

"Permission to pass is granted solely to non-military vessels in accordance with specific regulations.

"Reports published regarding the passage of U.S. vessels through the strait are denied, and any attempt by military vessels to pass will be met with the utmost firmness and resolve."

The IRGC later added on X: "Any erroneous maneuver will trap the enemy in deadly whirlpools in the Strait."

Venting his frustrtion online once more, American President Donald Trump claimed on social media it was America which was doing shutting down the strait. He said: "Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz."

Sir Keir Starmer called on both Iran and the US to "find a way through" following the failed talks in Pakistan.