Iran intensified regional tensions on Thursday by threatening “long and painful strikes” against American positions if Washington decides to renew military attacks. Tehran also reaffirmed its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a move that severely complicates US efforts to reopen the vital global waterway.
Two months of conflict have left the world’s most critical sea channel closed, effectively choking off 20% of global oil supplies. Consequently, energy prices surged this week, with Brent crude briefly hitting $126 a barrel before stabilizing near the $114 mark. While a ceasefire has existed since 8 April, Iran continues to block the strait to counter the US naval blockade.
US President Donald Trump scheduled a briefing for Thursday to review fresh military options designed to force Iran into negotiations. However, Iranian officials remain defiant regarding the pressure, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei noting that expecting quick results from talks is “not very realistic,” regardless of who mediates the dialogue.
Threats to US Regional Bases
Military rhetoric escalated further as Iranian commanders warned that even limited US strikes would trigger a massive regional retaliation. “We’ve seen what happened to your regional bases; we will see the same thing happen to your warships,” stated Commander Majid Mousavi. Furthermore, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei declared that foreigners have no place in the waterway “except at the bottom of its waters.”
The UN warned that a prolonged closure will devastate the global economy and push millions into extreme poverty. “The longer this vital artery is choked, the harder it will be to reverse the damage,” Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned.
President Trump remains focused on domestic impacts, asserting that gasoline prices will “drop like a rock” once the war ends. He faces a Friday deadline to justify the conflict to Congress under the War Powers Resolution, yet hostilities remain stalled. Although the US proposes a “Maritime Freedom Construct” coalition to secure the strait, allies like France and Britain hesitate to join. These nations insist they will only assist once the active conflict officially concludes and regional stability returns.
