Iran has issued a new threat to America and Israel regarding the Strait of Hormuz, in which President Donald Trump has been directly challenged to ensure the safety of oil tankers. The warning comes amid rising tensions in the region, where Iran has made it clear that the Strait of Hormuz is not completely closed, but ships belonging to the US and Israel will not be allowed to pass through.
A spokesman for the Revolutionary Guards said, “We issue an open challenge to US President Donald Trump. If you have the courage, show it by assigning the task of escorting your warships to the safe evacuation of oil tankers from the Strait of Hormuz.” This statement comes at a time when hundreds of oil tankers and merchant ships are stuck in this important sea corridor after the recent conflict.
A senior Iranian military official clarified that the strait is not closed, but ships belonging to “enemy countries” are prohibited from entering. This is severely affecting the global crude oil supply chain, leading to a surge in oil prices.
what did america say
From the US side, Finance Minister Scott Besant responded, “We are engaged in diplomatic and military efforts to safely remove the ships from Hormuz. This issue will be resolved soon.” However, Iran’s warning has put the US Navy on alert, and the Pentagon is now planning to deploy additional warships to protect the tankers.
Strait of Hormuz: Global Energy Lifeline
The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s narrowest and strategic sea route, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and providing further access to the Arabian Sea. Its width is only 21 miles, but its importance is immense. About 20% of global crude oil (21 million barrels per day) and 25% of natural gas are exported from here. The economy of oil rich countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, UAE and Iran depends on it.
Following the recent attacks, navigation on this route has almost come to a standstill. Hundreds of ships are grounded, disrupting fuel supplies to Asia, Europe and the Americas. Oil prices have climbed $10 a barrel, and global market volatility has increased.
Iran’s maritime power and strategy
For Iran, Hormuz is not only an economic necessity but also a symbol of military supremacy. Along its coastline, the Iranian Navy has deployed lethal coastal missiles (such as Hormuz-1 and Noor), hundreds of drones and high-speed speedboats. These are capable of ‘swarm’ attacks, which can harass even large warships. Iran had earlier shown its strength by seizing a British tanker in 2019. Experts believe that if war broke out, Iran could block the strait within hours, which would bring the global economy to a halt for months.