United States President, Donald Trump, has warned that Washington could reimpose a naval blockade on Iran and resume military action after declaring the ceasefire between the two countries effectively over. The renewed tensions have heightened fears of fresh instability in the Middle East and further disruption to global oil markets.
Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump said the United States could “hit Iran very hard again” and was considering restoring restrictions on Iranian maritime activity, including a blockade targeting Iranian shipping.
His remarks came after U.S. forces carried out a fresh round of strikes on more than 80 Iranian targets in response to attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route. Iran retaliated with missile strikes targeting U.S. military facilities in the Gulf, further escalating the conflict.
Trump also announced that the United States had revoked temporary waivers that allowed limited Iranian oil exports, accusing Tehran of violating the terms of last month’s interim agreement. Iran, however, insists its actions were a response to alleged breaches of the agreement governing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The renewed hostilities have raised concerns over global energy supplies, with analysts warning that any prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil trade, could trigger fresh volatility in international oil prices and financial markets.
