Iran has warned it will soon deploy a new weapon that adversaries are “deeply afraid of”, escalating tensions with the United States and Israel amid an ongoing military standoff and blockade in the region.Shahram Irani said the Islamic Republic will “very soon” confront enemy forces with a weapon “it is deeply afraid of.” He added, “And it is right next to them [too],” and remarked, “I hope they won't have a heart attack.”The warning follows Donald Trump rejecting Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting the US naval blockade, a plan that would have also postponed discussions on Tehran’s nuclear programme. Trump told Axios, “The blockade is somewhat more effective than the bombing. And it is going to be worse for them. They can't have a nuclear weapon.”Irani criticised what he described as enemy miscalculations, saying they believed pressure tactics would deliver results “in the shortest possible time.” He added, “That very assumption has now turned into a joke in military academies.”Detailing Iran’s response since the conflict began on February 28, the commander claimed Iranian forces carried out “seven missile operations” against the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which he said prevented the “United States from being able to launch aircraft or conduct air operations from the carrier for a period of time.” He also said Iran has launched at least 100 waves of reprisal strikes targeting American and Israeli positions across West Asia.On the maritime front, Iran has tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route, restricting vessel movement and requiring approval from Iranian authorities. “If they move any closer, we will take operational action without delay,” Irani said, adding that despite restrictions, “some vessels have departed from our ports, and some have reached their destinations.”He also accused US forces of “illegal seizure” of Iranian vessels, calling it “piracy” and “hostage-taking.” “They have taken crewmembers and their families hostage aboard ships,” he said, adding, “The Americans are worse than Somali pirates, because Somali pirates acted out of poverty, but these have added hostage-taking” to their actions.Irani further asserted that Iran’s armed forces would avenge those killed in the conflict “to the last drop of our blood.” “We will afflict a regret-inducing blow to them,” he said.Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait, shared with US officials earlier this week, aimed to delay negotiations over its nuclear programme while easing maritime restrictions. However, Washington’s refusal has prolonged the standoff, with both sides continuing military and economic pressure in the region.