Iran Threatens Further Trade Route Closures Amid US Strikes
Iran has issued a warning to close additional trading routes in the region following a series of fresh US military strikes targeting Iranian assets. The country's Revolutionary Guards declared that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until the United States ceases its "acts of aggression," and further threatened to block other regional oil and gas export pathways.
The announcement coincided with statements from the US Central Command (Centcom), which reported conducting drone, air, and naval strikes on Iran on Wednesday morning, following an earlier seven-hour operation overnight.
Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz
The recent escalation between the US and Iran highlights the critical role of the Strait of Hormuz in the global economy. The intensified conflict has led to a significant increase in oil prices as tanker traffic through this vital shipping corridor has nearly halted.
Centcom stated that Wednesday morning's strikes "further degraded Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz." The operation included a 90-minute wave targeting Iran's coastal defenses and cruise missile storage and launch sites on Greater Tunb Island, according to Centcom officials.
US President Trump's Statements and Threats
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump threatened to target Iran's bridges and power plants if the country did not return to negotiations. In an interview on Special Report with Bret Baier aired Tuesday night, Trump said:
"I'll save the energy targets for last, but ultimately we'll hit energy targets."
This escalation in rhetoric followed Trump's announcement that a 20% toll he had threatened to impose in the Strait of Hormuz would be replaced by "massive" trade and investment deals with Gulf states.
Earlier in April, Trump had threatened to bomb Iran's civilian infrastructure, a statement condemned by UN human rights chief Volker Türk, who stated:
"Under international law, deliberately attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure is a war crime."
Renewed US Blockade and Iranian Response
On Tuesday evening, the US reinstated a blockade on Iranian ports, preventing vessels from transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas. This blockade had previously been lifted as part of a memorandum of understanding reached between the two countries last month, which aimed to resolve months of conflict.
However, disagreements over control of the Strait of Hormuz have become a central issue. In reaction to the renewed blockade, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned the US to "expect the closure of other oil and gas export routes that serve the interests of the United States and its allies," without specifying which routes might be affected.
Iranian Military Actions and Regional Tensions
Iran's state-run broadcaster reported that the Iranian army conducted separate attacks on US targets located in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Additionally, US allies reported intercepting drones and missiles launched from Iran.
Additional coverage includes:
- Watch: The clash between US and Iran for control of the Strait of Hormuz
- Strait of Hormuz 'faultline' exposes weakness of the US-Iran deal
