Iran warns of “long and painful strikes” if US resumes attacks, as Strait of Hormuz closure drives oil prices higher
Iran has warned it will launch “long and painful strikes” on US positions if Washington resumes military action, as tensions remain high despite a ceasefire.
A senior official in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said any new US attack, even if limited, would trigger a strong response across the region.
“We’ve seen what happened to your regional bases, we will see the same thing happen to your warships,” said Majid Mousavi, Aerospace Force Commander.
The warning comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed two months into the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The waterway handles about 20% of global oil and gas supply, and its closure has pushed up energy prices.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Tehran would continue to control the strait.
“Foreigners who come from thousands of kilometres away … have no place there except at the bottom of its waters,” he said.
The US is considering further military options. President Donald Trump was due to receive a briefing on potential new strikes aimed at forcing Iran into negotiations, according to a US official.
At the same time, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei signalled limited expectations for talks.
“Expecting to reach a result in a short time, regardless of who the mediator is, in my opinion, is not very realistic,” he said.
A ceasefire has been in place since 8 April, but Iran continues to block the strait in response to a US naval blockade of its oil exports.
The situation has raised concerns about the global economy. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned prolonged disruption could slow growth and increase poverty.
“The longer this vital artery is choked, the harder it will be to reverse the damage,” he said.
Elsewhere, the United Arab Emirates has banned its citizens from travelling to Iran, Lebanon and Iraq, urging those already there to return home.
Despite the standoff, Trump said Iran would not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and repeated that fuel prices would fall once the war ends.
