The statement was reported by state media and attributed to Iranian Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naqdi.

Iran has shown its support for the militant group Hamas in its war against Israel, while the U.S. has been a staunch ally of Israel, despite facing growing criticism for its military's actions in Gaza. The conflict, ongoing since early October, has resulted in the death of over 20,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

"They shall soon await the closure of the Mediterranean Sea, (the Strait of) Gibraltar, and other waterways," General Naqdi stated, as quoted by state media Tasnim. However, it remains unclear how Iran would follow through on such a threat, as the country lacks direct access to the Mediterranean Sea and has no significant naval presence beyond the Persian Gulf.

General Naqdi further mentioned the attacks on Gibraltar as an escalation of the Red Sea attacks perpetrated by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Last week, the Iran-backed rebel group intensified its operations by targeting cargo ships and U.S. warships near the Horn of Africa, amidst the ongoing Yemeni Civil War.

"Yesterday, the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz became a nightmare for them, and today they are trapped... in the Red Sea," General Naqdi pointed out, referring to the Houthi attacks, as reported by state media.

Facing pressure to respond to the Yemeni group's attacks, the Biden administration announced that a Navy task force would be deployed to the region to protect shipping, as stated by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

In the eastern Mediterranean, Iran's proxy groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and an allied group in Syria, are not believed to have the capability for long-distance strikes.

Additionally, according to Tansim news agency, an Iran-backed group in Iraq reportedly launched an attack on an Israeli natural gas facility off the coast of Israel earlier this week.

The situation continues to escalate, with tensions mounting between Iran and the United States, and the conflict in Gaza showing no signs of abating. International pressure for a peaceful resolution remains high, as concerns grow about the mounting civilian death toll.