Regional Tensions Escalate As Iran Threatens To Restrict Shipping Through Hormuz

(MENAFN- Daily News Egypt) Military and political tensions across the Middle East intensified on Wednesday as Iran issued new warnings over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz while missile and drone attacks spread across several countries in the region.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy commander, Brigadier General Alireza Tangsiri, said vessels seeking to pass through the strategic waterway must obtain permission from Iran, warning that forces would act firmly against ships attempting to cross without authorization.

Tangsiri said some vessels, including the Express Roma and the Maiori Nari, had ignored Iranian warnings after relying on what he described as“empty promises” guaranteeing safe passage, but were intercepted while attempting to transit the strait without coordinating with Tehran.

In a separate statement, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya central headquarters, said Tehran would not allow“even a single liter of oil” to pass through the Strait of Hormuz if it benefited the United States, Israel or their allies. He added that any vessel whose owner or cargo was linked to those parties would be considered a legitimate target for Iranian forces.

Zolfaghari said Iran was moving away from a policy of“reciprocal strikes” toward what he described as“successive strikes”.

In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump told Axios in a brief phone interview on Wednesday that the war with Iran could end“soon,” saying there was“virtually nothing left to target.” During the five-minute call he added:“Some small things… whenever I decide to end it, it will end.”

On the battlefield, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had launched the 39th wave of attacks under their military campaign“Operation True Promise 4,” targeting U.S. positions in the region. In a separate statement, the Guards said the conflict would continue until what they described as the“shadow of war” was lifted from Iran.

The Guards said the previous wave of strikes targeted U.S. military sites, including the Al-Udeiri helicopter base, which they said was hit by two missiles causing casualties among U.S. personnel. More than 100 injured were transferred to hospitals in Kuwait, according to the statement.

Iran’s army also announced the launch of advanced Khorramshahr missiles carrying two-ton warheads toward U.S. bases in the region as part of the 37th wave of the operation.

Separately, Iranian forces said they carried out suicide drone attacks on several targets inside Israel, including the military intelligence directorate Aman, Unit 8200, the Green Pine radar system and a submarine command facility at a naval base in Haifa. A military statement said the attacks were ongoing.

Israel’s Health Ministry said 2,557 people had been injured since the conflict with Iran began at the end of February, including 84 who remain hospitalized. Emergency service Magen David Adom said 28 people were injured while rushing to shelters after air-raid sirens sounded following Iranian missile launches, with injuries described as minor.

The escalation has also affected other parts of the region. Britain’s maritime security agency Ambrey reported that oil storage facilities at Oman’s port of Salalah were hit by drone strikes, with smoke seen rising from the site. Omani state television said fuel tanks were struck but no casualties were reported, while port authorities instructed ships docked at the port to prepare for departure.

In the United Arab Emirates, the Dubai Media Office said two drones crashed near Dubai International Airport, injuring four people, one moderately and three with minor injuries. Authorities said airport operations continued normally.

Kuwait’s National Guard said it intercepted and shot down eight drones in areas under the protection of its security units and that forces were on high alert in coordination with the army and police.

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said it intercepted and destroyed 11 drones in the Empty Quarter and the eastern region, as well as six ballistic missiles launched toward Prince Sultan Air Base and another missile targeting the eastern region. Additional drones were also intercepted in several areas.

Qatar’s cabinet condemned what it described as Iranian attacks on Qatari territory and other countries in the region, calling them a“blatant violation of national sovereignty and the principles of good neighborliness”. It urged an immediate halt to the escalation and greater diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis.

In the eastern Mediterranean, Italy said it had deployed the frigate Federico Martinengo, carrying more than 160 personnel, to waters near Cyprus to help protect the island from potential Iranian attacks. Italy’s defense ministry said the vessel had joined a multinational naval group led by France.

Earlier this month, an Iranian drone struck a British base in Cyprus, the European Union member state geographically closest to the Middle East.

Amid the escalating confrontation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran’s armed forces were“punishing Israel for its aggression,” adding that the current strikes were only the beginning of Tehran’s response. He said field reports indicated extensive destruction caused by Iranian missiles and growing pressure on Israeli air defense systems.

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