Washington, United States. President Donald Trump warned Iran on Monday that its energy plants and oil wells would be obliterated if it did not open the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran rejected US peace proposals and fired missiles at Israel.
Trump warning and Strait of Hormuz blockade
Trump issued the warning after Tehran described US peace proposals as “unrealistic” amid a month-old war that began with US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28. Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that normally carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
Missile and drone activity involving Israel, Yemen, and Lebanon
Israel’s military said Iran fired waves of missiles at Israel on Monday. It also said two drones from Yemen were intercepted on Monday, two days after the Iran-aligned Houthis fired missiles at Israel, and that Lebanon’s Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel.
Strikes in Tehran and Beirut
Israeli forces carried out missile strikes on what they called military infrastructure in Tehran and infrastructure used by Iran-backed Hezbollah in Beirut, leaving black smoke over the Lebanese capital.
Turkey reports missile entering its airspace
Turkey’s defence ministry said a ballistic missile launched from Iran entered Turkish airspace before being shot down by Nato air and missile defences deployed in the eastern Mediterranean.
Casualties and leadership deaths in Iran
The conflict has spread across the region, killing thousands, disrupting energy supplies, and hitting the global economy. The majority of those reported killed were in Iran and Lebanon, and many were civilians. Iran confirmed on Monday the death of Revolutionary Guards Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri, the latest of its leaders killed, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has been replaced by his son Mojtaba Khamenei.
Peace proposals conveyed through intermediaries
Iran said on Monday it had received US peace proposals via intermediaries, following talks on Sunday between the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the proposals were “unrealistic, illogical and excessive,” adding at a press conference: “Our position is clear. We are under military aggression. Therefore, all our efforts and strength are focused on defending ourselves.”
How do you think the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could affect global energy supplies?