Escalation in the Gulf

The United States and Iran have escalated their conflict, with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatening to close more trade routes after shutting the Strait of Hormuz, and the US military launching fresh strikes on Iranian targets. The moves have heightened concerns over global energy supplies and regional stability.

Iran's IRGC has warned that it could close "all other export corridors that benefit the US and its allies," according to Iranian media. The Guards said the renewed US naval blockade of Iranian ports had cut off oil and gas exports to the world, and that routes serving US and allied interests could also be shut. "Regional energy exports are either shared by all or denied to all," the IRGC said in a statement, as reported by Iran's state news agency IRNA.

The Strait of Hormuz, which in peacetime carries about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas supply daily, is now at the centre of the conflict. Iran has shut the strait and said it would remain closed until the US ends its "acts of aggression," a phrase used by the Revolutionary Guards.

US strikes and Iranian responses

The US military said it began a fresh round of strikes on Iran, targeting command centres, air defence sites, and coastal surveillance facilities across the country, including in the port city of Bandar Abbas and Greater Tunb Island, according to US Central Command (Centcom). Explosions were heard across Iran and air defences were triggered in Tehran, Iranian state media reported.

President Donald Trump threatened to target Iran's energy infrastructure if Tehran failed to return to talks. In an interview that aired on Tuesday night, Trump said, "I'll save the energy targets for last, but ultimately we'll hit energy targets." He also vowed to strike Iran's bridges and power plants next week if the country does not re-engage in negotiations.

Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, told state media that Tehran had "no reason" to abide by any agreement that did not benefit the country. He added that Iran's national security depended on maintaining what he described as "Iranian arrangements" in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Iranian military said it struck US targets in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, with the Guards claiming to have hit air defence systems, radars, and satellite reception systems at US outposts in Bahrain and Kuwait. US allies in the Gulf reported attacks: Kuwait's military said it intercepted drone attacks, while Bahrain's interior ministry told citizens to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.

Naval incidents and further threats

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they stopped two "non-compliant oil tankers" attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, according to IRNA. Meanwhile, the US military said it fired on and disabled an unladen, Curacao-flagged oil tanker on Wednesday, which Centcom said was attempting to sail toward a blockaded Iranian port.

The US military said it finished its latest round of strikes on Iran, hitting Iranian military command centres, missile and drone launch sites, maritime capabilities, and air defence systems, as reported by the Hindu.

Analysts quoted by Dawn, a Pakistani newspaper, said Iran may also use Yemen's Houthi movement to shut the Bab-el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea, potentially opening a new front against Washington. The Houthis have previously launched attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, targeting vessels linked to Israel.

Key Claims

  • Iran's IRGC threatened to close all other export corridors that benefit the US and its allies.
  • The Strait of Hormuz was shut by Iran.
  • The US reimposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports.
  • The IRGC warned that routes serving US and allied interests could also be shut.
  • The US military said it began a fresh round of strikes to degrade Iranian capabilities.
  • Iranian state media reported explosions near the port city of Bandar Abbas.
  • Iran's Revolutionary Guards stopped two non-compliant oil tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
  • The US military said it finished its latest round of strikes on Iran.
  • The Guards said they struck US military targets in Bahrain and Kuwait.
  • Trump threatened to target Iran's energy infrastructure if Tehran failed to return to talks.
  • Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran had no reason to abide by any agreement that did not benefit the country.
  • The US targeted command centres, air defence sites, and coastal surveillance facilities across Iran.
  • Iran threatened to block further trading routes in the region.
  • The US launched a fresh wave of strikes on military targets.
  • The Strait of Hormuz would remain shut until the US ends its acts of aggression.

Perspectives

Iran

Iran's leadership and military have framed their actions as a response to US aggression, with the IRGC vowing to maintain the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and potentially block other routes until the US ends its "acts of aggression" and lifts the naval blockade.

United States

US officials, including President Trump and Central Command, have justified the strikes as necessary to degrade Iranian capabilities that threaten commercial shipping and have called on Tehran to return to negotiations, warning of further strikes on infrastructure if talks fail.