Tehran, Iran. Iran on Monday threatened to attack any American military forces that attempt to enter the Strait of Hormuz, hours after President Donald Trump said the United States would escort stranded commercial vessels out of the Gulf. Hundreds of ships have been unable to transit the waterway for more than two months amid the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Iran issues warning and shipping directive
Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s unified military command, said Iran would attack foreign armed forces that intend to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s unified command also ordered commercial ships and oil tankers not to move without prior coordination with its military.
U.S. escort plan and military deployment
Trump said on Sunday on Truth Social that Washington would “guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways.” US Central Command said it would commit 15,000 military personnel, more than 100 aircraft, warships and drones to support what it described as a defensive mission conducted in parallel with its ongoing naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Impact on shipping and energy markets
The disruption has left as many as 20,000 seafarers unable to transit the strait, with crews running low on food and other supplies. Iran has blocked nearly all shipping into and out of the Gulf apart from its own, affecting around a fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments and pushing oil prices up by 50% or more. Crude oil prices edged higher on Monday, and analysts said prices were likely to remain above $100 a barrel without a peace deal.
Industry response to convoy proposals
Shipping and oil industry executives have broadly rejected military convoys as a workable solution, saying a ceasefire and a formal peace deal are needed for normal traffic to resume and confidence in the waterway to be restored.
Diplomacy and nuclear talks
Iranian state media reported on Sunday that Washington conveyed its response to Iran’s 14-point peace proposal via Pakistan and that Tehran was reviewing it. A senior Iranian official said Iran envisages ending hostilities on all fronts, including Israel’s attacks on Lebanon, and resolving the shipping crisis first, before addressing Iran’s nuclear programme in separate talks. Washington has demanded Tehran relinquish more than 400 kg of highly enriched uranium, while Iran says its nuclear programme is peaceful and has indicated willingness to discuss limited curbs in exchange for sanctions relief, similar to terms in the 2015 nuclear agreement that Trump withdrew from during his first term.
Pakistan reports handover of crew members
Pakistan said the United States had handed over 22 crew members from an Iranian container vessel seized by American forces last month, describing the move as a confidence-building measure.
How do you think the shipping disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could affect global energy supplies?