Iran Vows Strait of Hormuz Closure Until US Concedes, Warns of Renewed Conflict

Iran has declared that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States agrees to Tehran's terms, according to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. He further cautioned that Iran is prepared to re-engage in hostilities if the current standoff escalates, though he emphasized that diplomatic channels remain open. Mr. Araghchi informed Iraqi state television in an interview broadcast early Wednesday that indirect negotiations between Iran and the US are ongoing, facilitated by mediators Pakistan and Qatar. "Until an agreement or understanding is reached regarding this strait, it will not be open to everyone," he stated. These remarks follow a claim by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that an oil supertanker carrying over two million barrels exploded after striking a naval mine near the Strait of Hormuz late Tuesday. This incident is the latest in a series of unverified claims by the IRGC. Earlier on Tuesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian informed visiting Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir that the US must lift sanctions and cease its threats before talks can resume. Field Marshal Munir was in Tehran with an official delegation as Pakistan endeavors to mediate between the two nations. Qatar has indicated that communication between Washington and Tehran has not ceased and that the objective is to achieve a resolution swiftly. However, the US and Israel appear to be considering military options. Last week, CNN reported that the US has developed potential strike plans, which could involve the use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, also known as the Mother of All Bombs (Moab), against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites should US President Donald Trump authorize renewed combat operations. This weapon is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal. The potential for renewed military action also extends to Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, a deeply buried site near the Natanz nuclear complex. Separately, The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is advocating for large-scale strikes against Iran, having instructed the military to prepare for a significant new offensive earlier this month. The Israeli military had reportedly prepared a multi-day bombing campaign for the weekend of October 10, targeting civilian infrastructure, including electricity plants, as well as nuclear facilities and sites linked to Iran's leadership, according to the FT, citing three individuals familiar with the matter. This operation was ultimately postponed due to opposition from Mr. Trump, who reportedly wished to avoid reigniting conflict before the November 3 US midterm elections, the sources indicated. The proposed campaign was intended to be more intense than the joint US-Israeli offensive conducted in February, the FT reported. Despite this, Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Trump have continued to threaten renewed military action, asserting that the US and Israel must "finish" their efforts against Iran. Fox News, quoting two US officials, reported meanwhile that the US is deploying the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East, augmenting the region's forces with approximately 10,000 sailors and Marines by the end of November. This deployment would mark the third US aircraft carrier in the region. These reports emerged after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Mr. Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel on Monday, where discussions reportedly focused on the possibility of resuming major combat operations against Iran before the US midterms. This visit occurred a day after Mr. Trump publicly endorsed Mr. Netanyahu ahead of Israel's October 27 election. Iranian officials informed Reuters that Tehran is preparing for potential renewed attacks and sees limited prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough before the US elections. Mr. Trump has stated that Washington will not strike Iran again before the vote. In his interview, Mr. Araghchi confirmed that Iran is preparing for possible renewed US and Israeli military action, despite its stated preference for diplomacy. "Every possibility exists in the future, including the possibility that the Americans and the Zionist regime will launch another war against Iran," he said. The Foreign Minister contended that the dispute extends beyond Iran's nuclear program, stating, "The nuclear issue is nothing more than a pretext." Concurrently, Iranian officials have issued warnings that undersea cables, data centers, and artificial intelligence facilities could be targeted if hostilities resume. Qatar has cautioned that threats to cables, sea mines, and oil spills in the Strait of Hormuz would negatively impact countries throughout the region. Shipping through the strait remains significantly disrupted, exerting pressure on energy markets and regional economies, with Brent crude touching $111.99 a barrel on Tuesday, its highest point since May 20.