In brief
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced that the Strait of Hormuz would stay open only until the United States stops its "acts of aggression," warning that other oil and gas export lanes could also be shut. In a counter‑action, the US Central Command unleashed drone, air, and naval strikes on Iranian targets, including a 90‑minute wave over Greater Tunb island that targeted coastal defenses and missile storage sites. The escalation cut off tanker traffic, pushing global oil prices higher. Concurrently, a renewed US blockade of Iranian ports was reinstated despite a prior Memorandum of Understanding, prompting the IRGC to threaten closure of additional export routes. Amid these hostilities, President Donald Trump expressed intentions to strike Iranian power facilities and bridges if talks fail, adding a complex layer to already volatile diplomatic relations.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards declared that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until the United States ceased its "acts of aggression," adding that other oil and gas export routes could also be shut. This warning coincided with a fresh wave of drone, air and naval strikes launched by US Central Command against Iranian targets.
The strikes, described by Centcom officials as a 7‑hour operation, included a 90‑minute assault on Greater Tunb Island aimed at coastal defenses and cruise missile storage sites. Trump further warned that if talks failed, the US would target Iranian bridges and power plants.
The escalation has forced tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to pause, triggering a sharp rise in global oil prices. Centcom said the attacks “further degraded Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.”
In the wake of the renewed US blockade on Iranian ports, the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned the US that it should prepare for the closure of other export routes in the region. The Chinese‑run blockade was lifted earlier after a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the month‑long dispute, only to be reinstated following disagreements over the strategic strait.
The future of the Gulf’s key shipping corridor now hangs in a balance as both sides threaten to shut down critical infrastructure, potentially reshaping global trade and fuel markets for years to come.
