Iran threatens to destroy Gulf infrastructure after Trump ultimatum over Hormuz closure

Muhammad Asghar | GlobalBeat

Iran vowed to “irreversibly” destroy energy infrastructure across the Gulf region after former U.S. President Donald Trump demanded Tehran reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 72 hours.

The Islamic Republic’s Revolutionary Guards issued the warning on Thursday, hours after Trump’s social-media ultimatum that warned of “decisive” U.S. action if shipping lanes stayed blocked.

The confrontation follows Iran’s seizure of 3 tankers and deployment of sea mines since Sunday, moves that halted 20 percent of global oil flows through the 33-kilometer waterway. Brent crude surged 18 percent to $97 a barrel, its biggest daily gain since 2022.

Israeli and Emirati intelligence officials told reporters that IRGC naval units moved mobile anti-ship batteries to Qeshm and Sirri islands overnight. Satellite images released by Planet Labs showed 12 missile launchers deployed along the Iranian coast, according to the company’s analysis.

Trump posted on Truth Social at 6:43 a.m. Washington time that “Iran has 72 hours to reopen the Strait, or the U.S. will use all necessary measures to break any blockade.” The post received 2.3 million views within 3 hours.

IRGC commander Hossein Salami responded during a televised parade in Bandar Abbas. “Any hostile action will trigger irreversible destruction of energy facilities across the region,” Salami said. State television showed rows of speedboats equipped with rocket launchers.

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman called an emergency meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council energy ministers for Friday in Riyadh. The kingdom’s oil exports fell 1.4 million barrels daily this week, according to tanker-tracking data.

The Pentagon moved the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and escort ships from the Gulf of Oman toward the strait, officials confirmed. The carrier group was 400 kilometers southeast of Hormuz at dawn Thursday, according to publicly available ship transponders.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas convened an extraordinary meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels. “The bloc seeks immediate de-escalation and free passage for commercial vessels,” EU spokesman Peter Stano told reporters.

Insurance premiums for tankers transiting the strait jumped to $900,000 per vessel from $50,000 last week, the London insurance market reported. At least 18 tankers waited outside the waterway Thursday, according to MarineTraffic data.

China’s foreign ministry urged restraint. “All parties should safeguard navigation freedom through dialogue,” spokesman Lin Jian said. China imports 8 million barrels daily through Hormuz, customs data shows.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Tokyo would release 30 million barrels from strategic reserves if disruptions continue. Japan relies on Hormuz for 90 percent of oil imports, trade ministry figures show.

Background

Iran has threatened Hormuz closures repeatedly since 2012 when Western sanctions targeted its oil exports. The strait handles 21 million barrels daily, roughly 20 percent of global consumption, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Tensions escalated after Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions in 2018. Iran responded by attacking tankers in 2019 and briefly seizing British-flagged ship Stena Impero that July.

What’s Next

The 72-hour deadline set by Trump expires at 6:43 a.m. ET on Sunday. Gulf officials expect a U.S. naval escort operation for tankers within 48 hours if Iran maintains its blockade, according to regional diplomats.

Insurance market volatility will likely persist through next week, analysts said. The International Energy Agency scheduled an emergency board meeting for Monday to discuss coordinated stock releases.