Iran Vows to Close Strait of Hormuz as US-Israel War Enters Fourth Week
The joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran has entered its fourth week, creating a state of heightened tension and mixed signals across the Middle East. The conflict has shocked global oil markets, significantly reduced shipping traffic through the critical Strait of Hormuz, and claimed the lives of US service members and civilians in multiple countries. Recent developments include Israeli strikes on infrastructure in Tehran and south Lebanon, and Iranian missile fire near an Israeli nuclear facility. A major escalation point centers on the vital Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for global oil shipments. Iran's military has vowed to 'completely close' the waterway indefinitely if the US carries out President Donald Trump's threat to bomb Iranian power plants. This threat follows a reported 48-hour ultimatum from Trump, details of which remain unclear. The situation has led to a dramatic decrease in shipping, with at least 21 vessels hit or targeted since the war began, according to reports. The war's impact is being felt deeply within Iran, where a nationwide internet shutdown is compounding the 'wartime distress' for millions of civilians. The absence of Supreme Leader Khamenei from a traditional New Year's address has been noted by observers as unusual. Meanwhile, international figures like Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran's last Shah, have called for the protection of civilian infrastructure, following reports of thousands of damaged civilian units. Diplomatic rhetoric remains volatile, with the Trump administration sending conflicting messages, at one point calling NATO allies 'cowards' for their perceived lack of support. As the conflict enters a 'fuzzy state,' with public statements often contradicted by events on the ground, the threat to regional stability and the global energy supply continues to grow, with Israeli officials warning of 'weeks' of fighting still to come.
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Sources
Three full weeks of the war the US and Israel launched against Iran have shocked the world oil market, pierced a sense of safety in parts of the Middle East, and claimed the lives of US service members and civilians in multiple countries.
Live Updates: Iran military says Strait of Hormuz will be "completely closed" if U.S. delivers on Trump threat
Khamenei, the son of Iranian Supreme ... of the war, did not appear in public on Friday for the Iranian New Year. For the past three decades, the country's supreme leaders have typically marked the occasion with a public address. However, this year, Iran's state news agency, Tasnim, instead posted a statement from and a photo purportedly of the new leader. Khamenei's absence is notable, U.S. officials said, because a public address could offer a useful opportunity ...
Starmer and Trump discuss need to open Hormuz strait as Israel warns 'weeks' of fighting to come - BBC News
Blasts were reported across the city by Iranian state media, including IRGC-aligned Fars news agency. "Terrible sounds of explosions have been reported," Fars wrote. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says it is targeting "terrorist infrastructure" in Tehran. ... The Middle East war could spark ...
Live updates: Iran war news; Strait of Hormuz energy crisis, Trump’s 48-hour deadline looms | CNN
The statement, published by Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, follows a warning from Iran’s military saying it is ready to close the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely if US President Donald Trump carries out a threat to bomb Iran’s power plants.
Day 23 of Middle East conflict — Iran responds to Trump threat to bomb power plants, strikes on Israel | CNN
Iran’s latest internet shutdown, ... the “wartime distress” being experienced by millions of civilians across the country, according to internet watchdog NetBlocks. Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah, called on Israel and the US to spare civilian infrastructure, following earlier reports that thousands of civilian units in the country have been damaged. A new poll from CBS News and YouGov ...
Iranian missile strikes near Israeli nuclear facility, after Tehran says one of its sites targeted - BBC News
About 3,000 ships usually sail through the strait each month but this has dramatically decreased recently, with Iran threatening to attack tankers and other ships. At least 21 vessels have been hit or targeted, or have reported attacks, since the start of the war, according to an AFP news agency ...
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