The United States warned Iran that it would react to "any act of aggression" in the Strait of Ormuz

The US Navy on Wednesday warned Iran that it was "ready to react" to an badault, after that country threatened Tuesday to close the Strait of Ormuz in retaliation for the sanctions imposed by the states. States on their crude oil exports.

"Strait closure threats affect the international community and undermine free trade … We are ready to respond to any act of aggression"He stressed EFE Commander Josh Frey, spokesman for the 5th Navy Fleet, is responsible for overseeing the interests of the United States in the waters of the region.

The Pentagon believes that to deal with this threat, Iran could resort to its navy and place advanced marine mines in this enclave that connects the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

The warning of the US fleet comes barely a day after Tehran threatened to stop the oil transit of the Gulf states in the Strait of Ormuz, between Iran and Oman, through which about 20% of the world's oil circulates.

The United States announced on Monday that it would not renew the exemptions it had granted to eight countries, including some of the largest Iranian crude oil customers (China, Turkey and India), and end on 2 may.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the decision "accelerates the pressure campaign (against Iran) in a calibrated manner," which remains "well-supplied in the global oil markets".

Revenues from the sale of crude oil are vital to the Iranian economy, which has suffered a severe crisis marked by inflation and the devaluation of the national currency.

The exemptions were granted after the United States imposed sanctions on the oil sector last November, several months after the unilateral withdrawal of the nuclear deal signed in 2015 between Iran and six major powers.