Military escalation in Hormuz: Washington threatens ground invasion, Iran closes strait

The region is witnessing an unprecedented military escalation between the United States and Iran, as US forces launched a series of attacks targeting Iranian sites in response to what it described as targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Tehran retaliated by bombing Washington's military installations in several Arab countries, threatening to slide the situation into a comprehensive confrontation.

Informed sources in Washington reported that there is a growing conviction among both Republican and Democratic parties that the Strait of Hormuz crisis can only be resolved through a partial ground operation. The US Central Command is currently working on implementing a plan aimed at gradually undermining Iranian military capabilities, in preparation for the possibility of storming strategic areas surrounding the international waterway.

In an escalatory move, US President Donald Trump sent an official notification to Congress confirming that the country has been in a state of open war with Iran since July 7. This legal measure grants the US administration broad powers to use striking force and military action without traditional restrictions, which reinforces the hypothesis of imminent military action.

The US administration intends to tighten the noose on Tehran by imposing a comprehensive naval blockade on its ports, with the aim of weakening it economically and militarily and preventing it from funding its operations. However, the Democratic wing expresses great concern that the ground operation may turn into an uncalculated adventure, which could inflict heavy human and material losses on the US army that cannot be remedied.

On the economic front, the Center for Strategic Studies in Washington warned of the catastrophic financial repercussions of this escalation, as the cost of the blockade and military presence was estimated at half a billion dollars daily. Observers believe that this financial drain will directly affect the standard of living of the American citizen, and may cast a shadow over the Republican Party's chances in the upcoming midterm elections.

For its part, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz until further notice, confirming the prevention of any ship from passing through this vital passage. This decision came in response to what Tehran described as continuous American interventions, noting that the recent targeting of one of the ships was a result of its taking an unapproved route within territorial waters.

In a related context, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that Tehran will not abide by any previous memorandums of understanding if the United States continues to violate its international commitments. The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Baqaei, explained that his country will adopt the principle of reciprocity in dealing with commitments, warning that the continuation of American pressure will lead to similar reactions.

Intelligence reports indicate that Tehran has a high capacity to absorb military strikes and economic pressures for long periods, which puts the US administration in a real dilemma. While Washington is betting on the blockade, experts fear that the prolonged war may drain billions from the US Treasury without achieving a decisive military victory.

The Strait of Hormuz will only be opened by a partial American ground invasion, and the Central Command is currently working to weaken Tehran's capabilities until zero hour.