Iran is ramping up its threats against the United States: Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported Wednesday that Tehran will close the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. resumes strikes on Iranian targets.
The warning comes after hours of heightened tension in which President Donald Trump said Washington may strike Iran again. Trump said the U.S. “hit them hard” and added that “maybe we’ll hit them again tonight,” while reiterating that the administration’s goal is to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Immediately afterward, Ibrahim Rezaei, a member of Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee, issued a sharp threat to Washington following reports of a possible seizure of Kharg Island. “Come on, we’re waiting for you—not a single American soldier will return alive,” he wrote. Trump didn’t back down, later saying that “we may take actions that will raise oil prices a bit, but they’ll come down afterward.” However, he said he won’t put boots on the ground in Iran unless Iran is completely destroyed or signs an agreement.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the world’s most strategic shipping lanes, with a significant portion of global oil exports passing through it daily. Any Iranian attempt to block the passage could lead to a broad regional escalation and significantly impact global energy and trade markets.
Meanwhile, Israel is on high alert—security discussions have been convened with the participation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.