Iran's chief of general staff, Ali Abdollahi, said on Saturday that the US Navy was incapable of re-entering Iran's territorial waters due to Iran's ability to target any vessel in the region. "The US president can only dream of their soldiers and military again entering the Persian Gulf. They will take this wish to the grave for good," he said in a statement carried by state media.
Speaking at a rally in Florida on Friday, Trump said the US military "may do another Epic Fury", referring to the extensive bombing campaign that began the war with Iran in February. He had earlier questioned whether to end the conflict quickly through huge attacks or maintain pressure through a naval blockade and sanctions.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported that seven tankers were attacked or hit mines overnight Thursday, and two supertankers struck mines on Friday. Brent crude rose to about $117, its highest since April, amid the heightened tensions.
Diplomatic efforts continued in Istanbul on Friday, where top diplomats from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt, the UK, France, Germany and Italy met without US or Iranian participation. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said after the meeting: "We agree that a new attack on Iran would widen the war and spread the conflict across the region. Military intervention in Iran is by no means a solution." German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul held Iran and the Houthis responsible for regional instability, while the four regional foreign ministers issued a joint statement saying "Israeli occupation was the main source of instability in the region and beyond."
The Houthis continued exchanges with Saudi Arabia, hitting Riyadh again on Saturday after targeting Dammam airport and the Shaybah oilfield. Saudi forces bombed the Yemeni provinces of Marib, Taiz and others under Houthi control.