Strait of Hormuz Blockade Deepens as US-Iran War Enters Critical Phase
The United States and Iran moved closer to direct naval confrontation on Monday after Tehran warned international shipping it would enforce a transit ban through the Strait of Hormuz and Revolutionary Guard drones struck American military facilities across the Gulf region.
The Trump administration responded by accelerating plans for a London-based maritime coalition with the United Kingdom to safeguard commercial vessels, while Israel’s prime minister arrived in Washington for closed-door talks with the president and Vice President JD Vance. The White House described the discussions as “positive and productive” but declined to provide details on any specific military coordination or ceasefire framework.
Iran Rejects Ceasefire and Frozen-Asset Proposal
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran would take “any action” to retain control of the strait and rejected a US proposal to release frozen Iranian funds in exchange for a temporary halt to hostilities. “We have no plans to negotiate with Washington under these conditions,” Gharibabadi told state media, warning that European nations allowing US military access to their territory would be considered “among the aggressors” in the conflict.
Trump separately warned Russia and China against arming Tehran, saying on Truth Social that any such weapons transfers would be “very bad for them.” The US leader said Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured him Beijing would not arm Iran under any circumstances, and that Russian President Vladimir Putin had made a similar commitment.
Gulf Bases on High Alert After Drone and Missile Strikes
Revolutionary Guard forces claimed drone attacks on American military sites in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait, prompting the US Embassy in Jerusalem to issue a fresh travel warning advising American citizens of potential flight cancellations and airspace closures. The UAE condemned the strikes in the strongest terms, calling them a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of its Gulf neighbors.
All 28 crew members of the Mozambique-flagged LPG tanker DISHA were confirmed safe after an attack in Iranian territorial waters, according to India’s embassy in Tehran. The incident underscored the expanding reach of the conflict beyond traditional land and air domains into commercial shipping lanes that carry roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption.
Oil markets reacted sharply. Brent North Sea crude slumped more than five percent to $95.61 a barrel after having surged above $100 the previous day, as traders weighed the impact of fresh Middle East attacks on world supplies. Some ships were still able to pass through the Bab Al Mandeb strait, offering temporary relief, though Houthi rebels in Yemen aligned with Tehran declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia earlier in the week.
“Having advanced all week, oil prices finally ran into some profit taking,” said Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG. “Despite fresh US strikes on Iran, there was relief that some vessels could still transit the Red Sea corridor.” The volatility reflects deep uncertainty about whether the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 million barrels of oil pass daily, will remain navigable in the coming weeks.
The European Union agreed to a US request to delay release of Copernicus satellite imagery over the Gulf by 24 hours, citing concerns that real-time data could be exploited by hostile actors. The decision, published in the EU’s official journal, covers Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellites and reflects the growing complexity of information operations alongside kinetic warfare.
Diplomatic efforts struggled to keep pace with the escalation. Iran and Oman discussed maritime security in a phone call between foreign ministers, while Washington and London pushed forward with plans for an international naval coalition. Iran’s foreign minister warned that any nation allowing the US to use its bases or airspace would share responsibility for what he called aggression against the Iranian people.
As the 13th consecutive night of US strikes on Iran passed without a clear path to negotiations, analysts warned the Strait of Hormuz remained the most dangerous flashpoint. Any sustained closure would likely send energy prices into uncharted territory and force global powers to choose between direct naval engagement or accepting Tehran’s de facto control of one of the world’s most critical chokepoints.