Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson has issued a stark warning to global shipping companies, declaring that the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz has been mined. The warning marks a significant escalation in Tehran's posture over one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, compounding earlier threats and military developments that have already unsettled global energy markets and trade routes. Iran's Parliament Speaker and top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, had previously hardened Tehran's position, declaring that the situation in the Strait will not return to pre-war conditions.

IRGC's Escalating Maritime Warnings

The IRGC Navy had already issued a direct warning against the use of alternative routes in the Strait of Hormuz, and the latest declaration that the southern route is mined represents a further tightening of Iran's grip on the waterway. These developments reinforce earlier warnings that no regional infrastructure will be safe if Iran's security is not guaranteed, and that the security of the Strait is directly contingent on the absence of American forces. Ghalibaf articulated what he described as a clear equation governing the current conflict: "Either all or none." He warned that in a region where Iran cannot sell oil, no other nation will be permitted to do so either — a statement widely interpreted as a direct threat to regional energy infrastructure and trade routes.

Ghalibaf's Accusations Against the US

Ghalibaf criticized the United States for escalating regional conflict through the deployment of new military equipment, asserting that Washington's actions contradict its claims of seeking a cessation of hostilities. In a post on X, he mocked U.S. intelligence assessments, suggesting that Washington was measuring Iran's capabilities using its own "meager" IQ as a benchmark. The Speaker declared that Iran has reached a stage of complete mastery in understanding what he termed "American antics."

US Military Actions

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it had conducted fresh strikes on Iranian targets in the region at the behest of President Donald Trump, marking ten consecutive days of strikes on Iran. President Trump stated that the strikes were a retaliation for the killing of U.S. service members. The military escalation follows a period of heightened tension involving various regional actors.

Maritime and Economic Impact

The conflict has begun to impact global trade routes and energy supplies. The Houthis announced the initiation of a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which is expected to affect the global oil supply by 7%, according to a Reuters report. Additionally, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO) reported an incident involving an oil tanker struck by an unknown projectile approximately 9 miles off Limah, Oman, with the crew abandoning the vessel via lifeboats.

The following table summarizes the key developments in the ongoing conflict:

Escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran have intensified, with Iran's Tasnim News Agency reporting that Tehran will retaliate by cutting off electricity to U.S. regional allies if Washington strikes Iranian bridges or power plants. IRGC Aerospace Commander Mousavi stated that this specific measure targeting power supply would be Iran's response to any attacks on its infrastructure. This warning follows reports of explosions in Bandar Abbas and Ahvaz, and confirmed U.S. attacks on key bridge infrastructure in the Hormozgan region. The reciprocal threats signal a deepening conflict with significant risks to critical infrastructure and energy security across the region.

Trump's Warning and Iranian Response

President Trump previously issued a direct warning stating that if ships are attacked, the United States will bomb bridges and power plants, including those in Tehran. In response, a military source cited by Iran's Tasnim News Agency stated that Tehran would retaliate by targeting infrastructure such as bridges or energy sites associated with the U.S. should Washington proceed with strikes on Iranian assets. Tasnim further reported that Iran is threatening to strike regional energy facilities if attacked. This exchange of threats marks a significant escalation in rhetoric, extending the potential scope of military action beyond the Hormozgan region to Iran's capital and U.S.-linked interests abroad.

Reported Explosions and Attacks

Three explosions were heard in western Bandar Abbas, Iran's port city, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). Iran's Hormozgan Governorate indicated that sounds heard in Bandar Abbas, surrounding coastal areas, and Gulf islands are linked to clashes in the Strait of Hormuz. Separately, Mehr News Agency reported that several locations in Iran's Ahvaz were targeted by U.S. attacks, with an additional explosion of unknown nature reported in the city.

Infrastructure Targeted

The reported strikes on bridge infrastructure remain a focal point of the conflict. The following table summarises the reported infrastructure incidents:

The situation remains fluid across multiple Iranian cities and the broader Strait of Hormuz region. Information available is limited to reports from IRIB, IRNA, Mehr News, Fars News Agency, Tasnim News Agency, and Iran's Hormozgan Governorate. No further details regarding casualties or the full extent of damage have been provided.