Iran’s military has warned that vessels linked to the United States, Israel, or their allies could become targets in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
A spokesperson for Khatam al-Anbiya, Iran’s central military operations headquarters, made the statement during a broadcast on Iranian state television on Wednesday. According to the spokesperson, ships associated with those countries will be treated as “legitimate targets” if tensions continue to escalate.
The statement further emphasized that Iranian forces may prevent oil shipments from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor responsible for transporting roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is extremely narrow in some areas—only about 33 kilometers wide. Because of this limited width, vessels moving through the passage can be vulnerable to drones, missiles, and other military threats.
Reports on Wednesday indicated that three commercial cargo ships were struck by unidentified projectiles near the Strait, with one vessel reportedly catching fire after the attack.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Tehran that any attempt to block the Strait of Hormuz could lead to a stronger military response from the United States.