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US reimposes naval blockade on Iran, escalating Strait of Hormuz tensions

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The U.S. has reinstated a naval blockade on Iranian ports after 26 days, escalating tensions and military confrontations in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Iran has retaliated by threatening to block all oil exports if its own routes are disrupted, warning that global oil and gas exports will cease for everyone.
  • President Trump has issued a stern warning, threatening to target Iranian infrastructure like power plants and bridges if a resolution is not reached within the week, while both sides appear to be preparing for wider military action.

The United States has abruptly reinstated a naval blockade on Iranian ports, ending a 26-day pause and intensifying military confrontations in the critical Strait of Hormuz. This move comes as clashes between U.S. and Iranian forces have continued for four consecutive days, raising fears of a wider conflict.

The enemies have blocked the world's oil and gas export routes using their pirates, so they must be prepared for the fact that other oil and gas export routes that benefit the United States and its allies will also be blocked. All oil and gas exports in the region will be for everyone, or for no one.

โ€” Iran's Revolutionary GuardA statement from Iran's Revolutionary Guard threatening retaliation against U.S. actions.

U.S. Central Command announced the resumption of the blockade, effective immediately. The U.S. and Iran had previously agreed to a memorandum of understanding on June 17, leading to the lifting of the blockade the following day. However, recent escalations saw Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps declare a closure of the strait on July 12, prompting the U.S. to reimpose the blockade just two days later.

In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guard issued a strong statement, warning that if the U.S. and its allies disrupt global oil and gas export routes, then "other oil and gas export routes that benefit the United States and its allies will also be blocked." The statement implied that global energy exports would cease for all parties involved, potentially extending beyond the Strait of Hormuz to choke points like the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.

Next week, they will face very harsh situations. The targets next week will be power plants and bridges.

โ€” Donald TrumpU.S. President Donald Trump issuing a warning about potential targets in Iran.

President Donald Trump escalated the rhetoric further, telling Fox News that Iran would face "very harsh situations" in the coming week, with potential targets including power plants and bridges. He indicated that if negotiations did not proceed, these critical infrastructure facilities would be targeted. Reports also suggest the U.S. is preparing for a larger-scale military operation beyond the current limited strikes, with President Trump reportedly willing to expand the conflict to force open the Strait of Hormuz and compel Iran's denuclearization. Iran, however, maintains a defiant stance, stating it will not beg for negotiations and will not be the first to request talks.

If you think that by tightening military, political, and economic pressure, we will return and beg for negotiations, you are greatly mistaken. We will not ask the United States for negotiations first.

โ€” Kazem GharibabadiKazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, stating Iran's position on negotiations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.