Iran has declared that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States ends what Tehran describes as "acts of aggression," escalating tensions around one of the world's most critical energy corridors.
In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, said the strategic waterway would remain shut and warned that additional regional oil and gas export routes could also become targets if military pressure on Iran continues.
The warning follows a series of U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets, with both sides exchanging increasingly strong rhetoric and military action across the Gulf.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's busiest maritime chokepoints, carrying a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports.
Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the waterway could affect international trade, increase energy prices, and create fresh uncertainty in global markets.
The United States has maintained that it will continue protecting freedom of navigation in the Gulf, while several regional governments have called for restraint and renewed diplomatic efforts.
As military tensions continue to rise, international observers warn that any further escalation around the Strait of Hormuz could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and the global economy.
