Iran’s Revolutionary Guard commander, Mohammad Reza Naqdi, has warned that the Mediterranean Sea could be closed if the US and its allies continue to commit “crimes” in Gaza.

Iran supports Palestinian resistance groups against Israel and accuses the US of supporting Israeli crimes in Gaza.

The Houthi group in Yemen has attacked merchant vessels sailing through the Red Sea in retaliation for Israel’s assault on Gaza, leading some shipping companies to switch routes.

The White House has stated that Iran is actively planning operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

Iran lacks direct access to the Mediterranean and it is unclear how the Guard could attempt to close it off. Iran’s only backed groups on the Mediterranean are Lebanon’s Hezbollah and allied militia in Syria.