Iran warned it will fully shut the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. follows through on threats to strike its energy infrastructure, escalating the standoff with Washington.
The warning came after President Donald Trump gave Tehran 48 hours to reopen the critical shipping route or the U.S. would “hit and obliterate” Iranian power plants.
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Iran sets terms after US threat
According to The Guardian, Reuters carried a statement from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Sunday that said energy infrastructure in countries hosting U.S. bases would be considered “lawful” targets and warned companies with U.S. ties could be hit.
“We did not start the war and we will not start it now, but if the enemy harms our power plants, we will do everything to defend the country and the interests of our people,” the statement said.
Iran has already restricted traffic through the Strait, allowing some vessels from friendly countries to pass while limiting others.
Missiles land near Israel’s nuclear site
Iranian missiles hit the cities of Arad and Dimona late Saturday, injuring dozens and damaging residential areas near Israel’s main nuclear research site. Israeli officials said at least 180 people were wounded, including more than 10 seriously.
As Straight Arrow News has reported, the strikes on Arad and Dimona landed near Israel’s main nuclear research site, pushing the conflict deeper into one of its most sensitive areas.
Emergency crews said the blast in Arad damaged multiple apartment buildings and forced evacuations. Local officials said several structures near the impact site will need to be demolished.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran is targeting civilians and vowed to pursue senior commanders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps “personally,” as he called upon other nations to join the fight.
“They’re doing that as a mass murder weapon,” Netanyahu said. “Luckily, no one was killed, but that’s due to luck, not their intention. Their intention is to murder civilians.”
Israel’s military said it could not intercept the missiles that struck that area.
Iran outlines broader retaliation
Tehran also laid out how it would respond if the U.S. follows through.
In a statement carried by state media, an Iranian military spokesperson said any U.S. strike on its energy infrastructure would trigger attacks on American-linked facilities across the region, including fuel sites, desalination plants and information systems.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker also rejected a U.S. effort to release oil from tankers into global markets, saying there is no supply available to unlock.
“Lifting sanctions on Iranian oil currently stranded at sea? Sorry — we’re sold out,” Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf posted on X.
Iran’s envoy to the International Maritime Organization said the strait is open to vessels except those that “belong to our enemies.”
The waterway remains largely shut after weeks of attacks on shipping.
Hormuz standoff drives US pressure
Trump’s warning set a clear deadline: reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face U.S. strikes on Iranian power plants.
The threat marked a shift after Trump said a day earlier the U.S. could begin winding down operations.
The waterway handles a major share of global oil shipments. Traffic has nearly stopped, forcing production cuts and driving energy prices higher.
U.S. officials have discussed military options to reopen the route, as a deployment of roughly 4,500 U.S. sailors and Marines heads to the region.
The deadline expires Monday evening in Washington.
Conflict widens with no resolution in sight
Fighting continues across multiple fronts.
Israeli strikes inside Iran have targeted military and industrial sites. Iran and its allies have expanded attacks on Israel and regional infrastructure.
Israeli military leadership has told the public to expect a prolonged campaign.
The death toll in Iran has surpassed 1,500, according to state media, with additional deaths reported in Israel, the West Bank and among U.S. forces.
