Iran threatens to escalate war after Trump says ‘many countries’ will send warships to strait of Hormuz
Iran threatens to escalate war after Trump says ‘many countries’ will send warships to strait of Hormuz
In a bold move, Iran declared it would intensify hostilities in the Middle East, vowing to strike any facility linked to the US, following Donald Trump’s assertion that multiple nations would deploy naval forces to secure the Strait of Hormuz. The key waterway, blocked by Tehran, has halted most maritime movement since the conflict began. Trump’s remarks came as the joint US-Israeli campaign entered its third week, with Iran retaliating through sustained strikes on Gulf infrastructure and Israeli targets.
On Saturday, Iran launched missile barrages at the United Arab Emirates and continued aerial assaults on Israel. Industry sources noted that oil loading in Fujairah, a major refueling hub, was disrupted, as seen in smoke plumes captured on television. An Iranian military official urged UAE residents to vacate ports and “American hideouts,” alleging US forces had targeted Iranian islands from these areas.
“Many countries, especially those affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships… to keep the Strait open and safe,” Trump stated on Truth Social. He also emphasized that allies like China, France, and Japan might join the effort to counter the “artificial constraint” imposed by Tehran.
Meanwhile, US planes struck Kharg Island, a central oil export site, on Friday, and launched further attacks on Saturday. Israeli jets also executed numerous raids. A semi-official report noted that at least 15 fatalities occurred when an airstrike hit a refrigerator factory in Isfahan, a city in central Iran. The Israeli air force claimed its targets were Iran’s missile capabilities and the regime’s security apparatus.
Iran’s strategy has shifted focus to disrupting energy flows, with oil prices rising sharply as the strait remains closed. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesperson for Iran’s joint military command, warned of strikes on “all oil, economic, and energy infrastructures with American ties.” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called for regional nations to expel US forces, stating the “security umbrella” had become a source of instability.
Trump previously labeled Iranian leaders “deranged scumbags” and expressed pride in targeting them. Pete Hegseth, US defense secretary, described the regime as “desperate and hiding,” asserting its leaders had gone underground. Hegseth also claimed Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, sustained injuries, likely disfiguring him. Iranian officials confirmed Khamenei was hurt in an Israeli strike but insisted his condition was not severe.
The struggle over oil and gas dominance has become central to the conflict. Kharg Island, located 15 miles offshore, serves as Iran’s primary export point. With the strait under threat, global energy markets face significant volatility, heightening fears of widespread economic disruption.