Iran threatened on Sunday to “completely close” the Strait of Hormuz if US President Donald Trump follows through on his warning to attack Iranian energy facilities within 48 hours. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said energy sites in countries hosting US bases would become “legitimate” targets.
The US President warned: “If Iran does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz, without any threat, within 48 hours from this exact time, the United States will attack and destroy their various power plants, starting with the largest plant first.”In response to Trump, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that if Tehran’s infrastructure were targeted, key facilities throughout the region “could be irreversibly destroyed.” Iranian military officials also said they could target US-linked energy, technology and water infrastructure in the Gulf.Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed. “The Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed and will not be opened until our destroyed power plants are rebuilt,” the Guards said in a statement.The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes, carrying a large share of the global oil and gas supply. Iran closed the route on 28 February. The disruption in the narrow waterway has already reduced tanker movements, pushed up fuel prices and hit global markets.The situation at the ground level remains unstable. Air raid sirens were sounded in many parts of Israel after the latest missile launch. The attacks escalated on March 21, with American-Israeli strikes centered around Tehran and spreading into central and southern Iran, including areas near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by attacking Israel and parts of the Gulf.According to the IDF, Iran has launched more than 400 ballistic missiles since the war began, about 92 percent of which were intercepted before striking the target.The conflict is affecting both sides. In Iran, the Red Crescent said more than 81,000 civilian homes and buildings were damaged in the US-Israeli strikes. In Israel, officials said more than 2,700 people have been forced to flee their homes due to the Iranian attacks, with government agencies providing aid and shelter.At the same time, Iran-backed Hezbollah has continuously launched rocket attacks on Tel Aviv. Israel has responded with strikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon.The tension is also affecting the global economy. Oil prices have hit their highest level in several years, with Brent crude hovering around $110 a barrel after reaching $119 earlier in the day.