Iran has stated that it will designate all ports in the Persian Gulf and surrounding areas as potential targets if its own shipping hubs come under threat. This declaration marks a significant escalation in the standoff around the Strait of Hormuz, following the United States' announcement of plans to blockade vessels linked to Tehran.
According to official Iranian reports, the Iranian armed forces declared in a statement on Monday that security in the region's ports must be "either guaranteed for everyone or for no one." The statement characterized the US threat to blockade the strait as an act of "piracy" and reiterated Iran's intention to maintain permanent control over this crucial waterway, even after any potential conflict ends.
These statements have intensified the brinkmanship surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor responsible for approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. The remarks indicate that Iran is prepared to resume attacks on ports in Arab Gulf states if the US follows through on its pledge, effective from 10:00 AM New York time on Monday, to block all maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports.
Direct talks between the US and Iran over the weekend failed to produce an agreement. US President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday evening that he was unconcerned about whether Tehran would return to the negotiating table.
Following the breakdown of talks in Pakistan, President Trump announced the implementation of the blockade and threatened to resume US military strikes if Iran resists. He stated, "Any Iranian who fires upon us or peaceful vessels will be blown to pieces!"
The announcement of the blockade triggered a sharp spike in oil and natural gas prices. Brent crude surged by as much as 9.1% on Monday, approaching $104 per barrel, while European natural gas futures jumped by up to 18%.
As spot supplies tighten, global refiners and traders are now scrambling to secure crude oil cargoes for immediate delivery.
Iran's Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, posted on X, "Enjoy the current oil prices. With the so-called 'blockade,' you will soon miss gasoline at $4 to $5 per gallon," referring to already high US gasoline prices.
A blockade targeting Iranian vessels would sever a critical financial lifeline for Tehran. During the conflict, Iran has maintained oil exports at pre-war levels and gained millions of dollars in additional revenue due to conflict-driven price increases.
**Lebanon Front**
While the US and Israel have paused airstrikes on Iran, and Tehran has halted missile launches toward Gulf states, Israel continues its incursion into Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah, an armed group backed by Iran.
The Israeli military stated on Monday that it had surrounded the hilltop town of Bint Jbeil, located approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from its border, and would commence an assault.
Hezbollah considers Bint Jbeil one of its main strongholds and refers to it as the "capital of resistance and liberation."
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, Israel's ongoing offensive in Lebanon has resulted in over 1,700 fatalities. Meanwhile, Israel's operations in Lebanon have been a point of contention during the finalization of US-Iran ceasefire terms. Talks between Israel and the Lebanese government are scheduled for this week. The Lebanese government has long pledged to disarm Hezbollah but has consistently failed to do so.
Developments concerning the Strait of Hormuz and the situation in Lebanon risk prolonging and widening a conflict that has already claimed thousands of lives and disrupted global energy supplies, raising concerns about a potential inflation crisis.
Unless the US blockade leads to a collapse of the ceasefire beforehand, the two-week truce agreement is set to expire on April 22. Iranian state television, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that any warship attempting to approach the Strait of Hormuz under "any pretext" would be considered a violation of the ceasefire.
Although neither side has committed to a second round of diplomatic talks, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated that the two countries had reached some consensus on multiple issues but still had disagreements on "two or three key points."
Speaking to Iranian state television after the talks, he said, "It was natural from the beginning not to expect an agreement in a single session," adding that "diplomacy never ends" and Iran would "continue to safeguard national interests under any circumstances."
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity on Sunday, stated that the American team felt clearly that the Iranian delegation did not comprehend the core objective of the Trump administration: ensuring Iran can never obtain nuclear weapons.
In a report, economic research analysts, including Jennifer Welch, noted that while the US has the capability to enforce a blockade, it would come with significant costs and risks. US naval vessels would be brought closer to the threat range of Iranian drones and missiles, and any attack could trigger a dangerous cycle of escalation. The analysts also pointed out that Houthi forces aligned with Iran might attempt to disrupt oil and gas shipments through the Red Sea.
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