Iran is reportedly poised to close the Strait of Hormuz once more in response to recent U.S. airstrikes, vowing to retaliate with two attacks for every one carried out by the United States. This escalation follows President Trump's announcement that the cease-fire with Iran has ended.
A source close to Tehran stated that President Trump would "gain nothing from these recent threats, but he will certainly lose both the Strait of Hormuz and the negotiations over a final agreement," according to Iran's Press TV.
Iran's military asserted it had struck 85 military targets across the Middle East overnight as an initial response to American attacks on the Islamic Republic's coastal assets near the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. strikes were reportedly in retaliation for Iran's actions against three ships attempting to transit the strait without permission, with Iran maintaining it exercises full control over the vital oil chokepoint.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical trade route that normally sees over 130 ships daily, has significantly decreased, with only a few vessels daring to cross on Wednesday. During the preceding holiday weekend, 108 ships transited the strait, according to maritime tracker Kpler.
Iranian officials have dared the U.S. to conduct further attacks and attempt to seize the Kharg Island oil hub, warning of American casualties if such actions are taken. Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, wrote on X, "Come—we are waiting for you—and we promise that not a single American soldier will return alive." Ali Akbar Velayati, Iran’s former foreign affairs minister, added that Tehran "has its finger on the trigger" and will not "remain silent" under provocation.
Despite these threats, President Trump maintained that an all-out war would not resume, stating that the U.S. possesses the capability to inflict greater damage. He told reporters that any conflict would likely be "over very quickly" and would ultimately ensure oil flowed freely. This renewed conflict marks the fifth month of heightened tensions, a duration exceeding the initial few weeks projected by the President.
