ARAB AND WORLD

Sun 22 Mar 2026 8:17 pm - Jerusalem Time

Tehran vows to close Strait of Hormuz in response to Trump's threats to strike energy facilities

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced today, Sunday, its readiness to completely close the Strait of Hormuz if the American administration proceeds with its military threats. This stance came in response to statements by US President Donald Trump, in which he hinted at targeting vital energy facilities inside Iran.

Trump had set a 48-hour deadline to fully open the international shipping lane, threatening to 'wipe out' Iranian power stations if Tehran did not comply. This threat represents a dramatic shift in American rhetoric just hours after he spoke of the possibility of de-escalating the conflict, which has entered its fourth week.

The statement issued by the Revolutionary Guard warned that any aggression would make companies with American capital contributions direct targets for destruction. The statement also stressed that energy facilities in regional countries hosting American military bases would be considered legitimate targets for Iranian forces in the event of a confrontation.

For his part, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf entered the crisis, warning of catastrophic repercussions for regional energy security. Ghalibaf affirmed that harming Iranian electricity grids would lead to widespread and irreversible destruction of oil and gas infrastructure throughout the region.

In an analysis of the field situation, informed sources explained that Tehran is adopting a strategy of partial closure of the strait to its direct adversaries. The sources indicated that the shipping lane is still available to some ships, but it is completely prohibited for American ships and those linked to Israel and its allies.

The escalating tension in the strategic waterway has led global shipping companies to exercise extreme caution and avoid passage. Reports have monitored the rerouting of some ships in coordination with the concerned capitals, reflecting the extent of international concern about the disruption of global energy supplies.

Observers believe that Trump's recourse to the deadline policy reflects Washington's awareness of the difficulty of a direct military option to open the strait by force. It appears that the American administration is trying to exert maximum economic pressure by threatening to strike infrastructure to avoid sliding into an open naval war.

Estimates indicate that the continued closure of the strait, even for additional hours, will lead to unprecedented jumps in global oil prices. This reality places the international community before a major challenge, especially with Tehran hinting at expanding the scope of the conflict to include other waterways such as Bab al-Mandab and the Suez Canal.

On the diplomatic front, countries such as Oman, Russia, Qatar, and Turkey are leading intensive efforts to defuse the crisis and prevent a full-scale explosion. However, these mediations are still clashing with the two parties' adherence to their positions, as Tehran demands real security guarantees to prevent a recurrence of attacks on its territory.

In the absence of trust in American promises, Iran is considering taking new sovereign measures in the strait, including imposing transit fees on passing ships. It seems that the escalation scenario is the most likely currently, unless international pressure succeeds in imposing a formula for a cessation of hostilities and ensuring freedom of navigation.

Iran will completely close the Strait of Hormuz if US President Donald Trump carries out his threats to target Iranian energy facilities.

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Tehran vows to close Strait of Hormuz in response to Trump's threats to strike energy facilities

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