Iran has warned that it may keep the Strait of Hormuz closed if the United States continues military pressure and port restrictions. The warning matters because the strait is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints and any disruption can affect global oil and gas trade, freight costs, and crude prices.
What happened
The United States and Iran resumed hostilities soon after a peace understanding was signed. U.S. strikes hit several targets in the region, and U.S. officials said the strikes were meant to reduce Iranian military capabilities used against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian media reported explosions near Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Bandar Imam Khomeini, and later Bushehr, which is near Iran’s only civilian nuclear plant. Iran said it retaliated against the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, while Jordan said it intercepted missiles launched from Tehran.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that oil and gas exports from West Asia could be blocked for everyone if they are blocked for Iran. Iran said the renewed U.S. blockade on Iranian ports undermined the interim peace memorandum.
Background and earlier position
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