The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports, amid a US naval blockade that has halted Iranian oil exports from Kharg Island since late July. The threat escalates the maritime standoff.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatened on Saturday evening to block the Strait of Hormuz, escalating the maritime standoff with the United States amid a US naval blockade that has halted Iranian oil exports from Kharg Island since July 31. The threat, first reported at 18:56 Jerusalem, was quickly followed by a series of increasingly detailed demands from Iranian officials, setting conditions for the strait's reopening.
Within hours, Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) issued six demands for reopening the waterway, including cessation of threats against Iran, withdrawal of US forces, payment of compensation, removal of all sanctions, and unconditional release of frozen Iranian assets. The New York Times then reported a senior Iranian official stating that the strait would remain closed until the US meets those demands and pays war reparations. A senior IRGC official later added a demand for a US apology and the release of frozen assets, according to a statement.
The standoff is part of a broader confrontation. As The Zioneer reported on Friday, Iran previously threatened indefinite Hormuz closure and linked it to Israeli operations in Lebanon. The US naval blockade, which began on July 31, has virtually halted all Iranian crude exports from Kharg Island, which handles 90% of the regime's oil exports, as confirmed by satellite imagery. Diplomatic efforts with Oman are reportedly underway.
It remains unclear whether the Strait of Hormuz has been physically closed to shipping, and the US response to Iran's conditions has not been stated. The operational status of the threat is unverified.
7 developments
- DevelopingIRGC Threatens to Halt Oil, Gas Exports Through Strait of Hormuz if US Strikes Continue
- DevelopingIRGC announces temporary closure of Strait of Hormuz, citing 'foreign intervention'
- DevelopingIRGC threatens to re-close Strait of Hormuz unless it gets sole control guarantees, WSJ reports
- StrongIran's IRGC asserts full control of Strait of Hormuz, threatens force on unauthorized vessels
Source and signal
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