Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, warned the US that bullying will no longer be cost-free. He said if the US strikes, it will get hit.
Ghalibaf stated that the Strait of Hormuz will only open under Iranian arrangements, not American threats. US Central Command said the latest strikes aimed to degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping.
Centcom struck 90 Iranian military targets, including air defense systems and logistics infrastructure. The strikes follow successful offensive strikes in Iran the night before, according to Centcom.
Phil Belcher, marine director at Intertanko, said the number of ships travelling through the Strait is now in single figures. The overall daily figure of about 30 ships is down from 70 a week ago.
Belcher attributed the decline to the step up in hostilities. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the cycle of violence is having an enormous impact on business and seafarers.
The US strikes come after a memorandum of understanding was signed between Iran and the US last month. The mood has changed, with shipping in the region now heavily impacted.
Iran’s response to the US strikes will be closely watched in the coming days. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile, with further escalation possible.
The international community will be looking for a way to de-escalate the situation. The US and Iran will likely face further pressure to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
