Trump shakes fist, then claims Iran contact again

US President Donald Trump said Iran reached out to his administration over peace negotiations, after his rhetoric on Monday warning that any Iranian "fast-attack" ships that go near its maritime blockade would be eliminated. He made the threat shortly after the US blockade on vessels entering and departing Iran had been due to come into effect on Monday.

"We've been called this morning by the right people, the appropriate people, and they want to work a deal," Trump said at the White House.

Also read: Trump warns of elimination if Iranian Navy ships hinder Hormuz 'blockade'

Meanwhile, a top Justice Department official threatened to "vigorously prosecute" anyone who buys or sells sanctioned Iranian oil.

An Iranian military spokesperson called any American restrictions on international shipping "piracy," warning that if Iranian ports were threatened, no port in the Gulf or Gulf of Oman would be secure. Any military vessels approaching the strait would violate the ceasefire, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said.

Describing Iran's navy as "completely obliterated," Trump posted, "What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, 'fast attack ships,' because we did not consider them much of a threat. Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our blockade, they will be immediately eliminated, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea. It is quick and brutal."

Also read: Trump's Naval blockade of Hormuz is an economic warfare, harms global economy

Trump said the US blockade is an effort to stop Iran from policing the strait and benefiting economically while the world suffers from its closure. "This is world extortion, and Leaders of Countries, especially the United States of America, will never be extorted," he said.