By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to block additional regional trade routes, warning that it will keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until the United States ends its “acts of aggression.” This declaration follows a new wave of U.S. military strikes on Wednesday, which targeted Iranian military infrastructure following a seven-hour overnight operation. The mounting hostilities have effectively severed transit through the area and intensified a standoff that threatens global energy supplies.
Military Strategy and Regional Impact
U.S. forces targeted Iranian coastal defense systems, along with cruise missile storage and launch sites located on Greater Tunb Island. Central Command officials stated that these strikes aimed to “further degraded Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.” Earlier strikes reportedly hit an Iranian army barracks in Sistan and Baluchestan province. Iranian state media reported that at least seven personnel were killed in that attack, while health officials indicated that over 260 people were wounded during the recent overnight hostilities.
As the conflict deepens, Iran has struck back against regional neighbors. Iranian forces launched missiles and drones toward Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, according to reports from U.S. and allied officials. While Jordan confirmed intercepting three incoming missiles, the wider region remains on high alert. U.S. Central Command confirmed that Iran has intentionally attacked seven commercial ships over the past week, resulting in nearly a dozen civilian crew members being killed, injured, or missing.
Global Economic Consequences
The struggle for control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas trade, has triggered a sharp rise in global oil prices. With tanker traffic through the waterway stalled—with recent data showing only 14 commercial vessels transiting the route on Sunday—the cost of Brent crude oil has climbed above $85 a barrel. This represents a significant increase since the start of hostilities, though it remains below the peak levels seen earlier in the conflict.
The Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a stern warning in response to the U.S. naval blockade, which resumed on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, threatening to close other regional oil and gas export channels. “The export of oil and gas from the region will be either for everyone or for no one,” the organization stated. They further asserted that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until the U.S. ends its “acts of aggression.”
Diplomatic Standoff and Future Threats
The current violence has dismantled a recent memorandum of understanding that had temporarily paused fighting. President Donald Trump has linked the ongoing military campaign to a demand for renewed negotiations, warning that he may target Iranian civilian infrastructure if a deal is not reached. “I’ll save the energy targets for last, but ultimately we’ll hit energy targets,” President Trump said in an interview on Special Report with Bret Baier. He further cautioned the Iranian leadership, stating, “You better make a deal, or you’re not going to have anything left.”
These threats have drawn international scrutiny regarding the parameters of the conflict. In a previous instance, UN human rights chief Volker Türk condemned similar rhetoric, noting: “Under international law, deliberately attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure is a war crime.”
While the administration initially proposed a 20% toll on ships transiting the strait, President Trump signaled a shift toward pursuing massive trade and investment deals with Gulf allies instead. Meanwhile, Iranian officials continue to frame the U.S. as the primary aggressor. Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, stated: “The U.S. is the aggressor, not the victim.”
Experts in international humanitarian law warn that categorizing civilian energy infrastructure as a military objective to force political concessions remains highly contentious and potentially unlawful. As regional mediators attempt to bridge the divide, the volatile intersection of energy security, military posturing, and the protection of essential services suggests that the path to a sustainable resolution remains narrow.
