Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz if it comes under any new attacks, an informed security source told Iran’s Press TV on Wednesday, adding that Tehran would strike “enemy” targets at a ratio of no less than two to one, in the latest Iranian threat as tensions with the United States escalate.
The remarks came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the temporary agreement to end the war with Iran was “over,” warning that the United States could launch new strikes against Iran later that night.
The developments follow a sharp military escalation that included Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in the Gulf region after U.S. strikes targeted Iranian sites in response to attacks on oil and gas tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said that any potential agreement with Iran might not hold, adding that he saw little value in continuing negotiations before issuing another warning: “We’ll hit them hard tonight.”
The renewed hostilities have heightened concerns over the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping data showed that at least four oil and gas tankers turned back after attempting to transit the strategic waterway, while oil prices climbed and global stock markets declined.
Reuters
