Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced on Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global oil and gas shipments, will remain closed until the United States ends its 'acts of aggression'. The Guards also warned that other regional oil export routes could become targets. This declaration comes amid ongoing hostilities between the two nations, which began in late February and have severely disrupted energy supplies through the strait.
The Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) claimed responsibility for attacks on US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait, following American strikes on Iranian territory. Iranian state television IRIB reported these claims. The IRGC statement emphasized that the United States' blockade of the Indian Ocean route for oil and gas exports has endangered the interests of America's economic rivals.
'The enemy should know that now that its maritime raiders have blocked the Indian Ocean route for oil and gas exports to the world -- thereby endangering the interests of America's economic rivals -- it should also expect the closure of other oil and gas export routes that serve the interests of the United States and its allies,' the statement said. The Guards did not specify which additional routes might be affected.
'Oil and gas exports from the region will either be available for everyone or for no one,' the IRGC added. In a separate statement, the Guards vowed that retaliatory operations would continue, and the Strait of Hormuz would stay closed until the United States halts its aggressive actions.
US officials have previously dismissed Iranian claims that Tehran can control navigation through the strait, insisting that international shipping routes remain open. The situation underscores the escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, with significant implications for global energy markets.
