Hormuz Strait standoff escalates: Iran warns Gulf ports in response to US blockade threat

Iran has stated that it will strike all ports in the Persian Gulf and surrounding areas if its shipping hub is threatened. The standoff in the Strait of Hormuz escalated further after the US announced plans to block ships associated with Iran. According to Iran's state television, IRIB, the Iranian armed forces issued a statement on Monday saying that the security of the region's ports "belongs to everyone or to no one." The statement reiterated that the US threat to block the strait is "piracy" and emphasized that Iran will permanently control this key waterway even after the war. These statements have intensified the policy game surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is an important passageway for global energy transport, accounting for about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. This indicates that if the US does indeed start blocking all maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports starting at 10 a.m. New York time on Monday, Iran is prepared to resume attacks on ports in Arab Gulf countries. This move will also escalate tensions between the US and China, as China almost entirely buys Iran's oil exports. Since the war broke out, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted energy markets, becoming a focal point of the ongoing six-week conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran. On April 7th, both sides reached a two-week ceasefire agreement. Direct negotiations between the US and Iran over the weekend failed to reach an agreement. US President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday evening that he doesn't care if Tehran returns to the negotiating table. He announced the blocking measures after negotiations failed in Pakistan and threatened that if Iran resists, the US military strikes will resume. "Any Iranian who fires on US military or peace ships will be bombed to hell!" Trump said. After Trump's announcement, oil and gas prices surged. Brent crude oil rose by as much as 9.1% on Monday, nearing $104 per barrel; European natural gas futures surged by 18%. Globally, as physical supplies tighten, refiners and traders are striving to find crude oil that can be delivered immediately. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Iranian parliament, posted on X platform, "Enjoy the current oil prices. Under the so-called 'blockade,' you will soon miss the $4-5 per gallon gas." He was referring to the already high gas prices in the US. Ghalibaf led the Iranian delegation at the talks in Islamabad, which collapsed due to disagreements over Iran's nuclear program. US Vice President JD Vance represented the US. The blockade of Iranian ships will cut off a financial lifeline for Tehran. Iran has maintained pre-war levels of oil exports and earned millions of dollars extra due to conflict driving up oil prices. Lebanese Front Although the US and Israel have paused their bombing of Iran and Iran has stopped missile attacks on Gulf countries, Israel continues its invasion of Lebanon to target the Hezbollah armed group supported by Tehran. However, according to the Israeli Channel 12 TV station today, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has informed cabinet members that the ceasefire with Iran may "end in a matter of hours." Previously, Netanyahu had repeatedly stated on various occasions that Israel's military action against Iran "is not over yet" and the ceasefire "may reverse soon." On Monday, the Israeli military claimed to have surrounded the town of Bint Jbeil, about 4 km from the Israeli border, and would launch an attack. Hezbollah considers the town one of its main strongholds, calling it the "City of Resistance and Liberation." Israel's ongoing attacks in Lebanon have become a point of contention in the US-Iran ceasefire negotiations. Talks between Israel and the Lebanese government are scheduled for this week, with the Lebanese government making long-standing promises to disarm Hezbollah but failing to do so. Developments in the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon may prolong and expand the war that has already caused thousands of deaths and triggered a global energy supply shock, increasing concerns about an inflation crisis. The two-week ceasefire agreement expires on April 22nd, provided that the US blockade does not cause the agreement to collapse beforehand. According to Iran's state television, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran stated that any military ship attempting to approach the strait "under any pretext" will be considered a violation of the ceasefire agreement. Although the two sides have not committed to a second round of diplomatic negotiations, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the two countries have reached understanding on multiple issues, but there are still disagreements on "two or three key points." A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the US team recognizes that the Iranian delegation does not understand the main goal of the Trump administration - to ensure that Iran never obtains nuclear weapons. Analysts point out that while the US has the capability to enforce a blockade, it will come at a high cost and risk. US warships will be closer to Iranian drone and missile threats, which could escalate danger if hit. The Houthi forces allied with Iran may also attempt to disrupt oil and gas shipments in the Red Sea. Analysts wrote, "The risks and costs of a continued blockade, as well as pressure from other stakeholders, suggest that Trump may not implement or sustain the blockade."