Iran's Revolutionary Guard has threatened to shut down all energy exports from the Middle East after the United States reimposed a naval blockade on Iran and dramatically escalated its airstrike campaign, killing at least seven troops and wounding more than 260 people in a single night of bombardment. The moves have pushed the region to the brink of all-out war, shredding a fragile interim ceasefire agreement that had only recently paused the fighting.
US Reimpose Blockade, Launches Sweeping Strikes
American forces conducted a sustained wave of strikes over seven hours overnight, hitting dozens of targets across Iran, before resuming attacks again in daylight hours — a significant escalation in tempo that military analysts noted was highly unusual. US Central Command confirmed the overnight campaign, and the daytime continuation sent a stark signal that Washington was ratcheting up pressure on Tehran.
Among the targets struck was a barracks housing Iran's 388th Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Sistan and Baluchestan province, a unit that operates tanks and armoured vehicles. Iranian state television reported at least 13 missiles were fired in that attack alone, killing seven people — a mix of conscripts and career soldiers — and wounding a number of others. Iran's government spokesperson confirmed that more than 30 people have been killed in recent days across all strikes.
Health Ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour said over 260 people were wounded in overnight strikes, a toll far exceeding any previous single round of violence in the current conflict. The Iranian army vowed "a decisive response to this aggressive action by the American enemy," according to state television.
Iran Threatens to Choke Regional Energy Supplies
In its most pointed warning yet, the Revolutionary Guard declared that oil and gas exports from the region would be "either for everyone or for no one" — a direct threat to halt all Middle East energy flows in retaliation for the reimposed blockade. The statement raises the spectre of a supply shock with potentially severe consequences for global energy markets.
The Strait of Hormuz has been at the centre of the conflict since the US and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran on February 28. Tehran effectively closed the critical waterway to shipping at that time, sending oil, fertiliser, and a range of commodity prices surging — giving Iran significant leverage at the negotiating table. Those price rises have complicated the domestic political picture for US President Donald Trump ahead of November congressional elections, with his Republican Party hoping to retain control of Congress.
For background on the Hormuz crisis and its broader implications, including how the standoff is affecting Australia, earlier reporting laid out the key stakes in detail.
Interim Deal in Tatters, Talks Stalled
The US originally imposed its naval blockade in April before lifting it last month as part of an interim agreement that halted hostilities and set a 60-day negotiating window to address disputes including Iran's nuclear programme. Those talks have since stalled as clashes over the Strait of Hormuz intensified, and the reimposition of the blockade has now effectively collapsed what remained of the arrangement.
Missile alert warnings rang out across Bahrain and Kuwait on Wednesday as Iranian fire approached both countries — part of a pattern that has become a near-daily occurrence. Jordan reported shooting down three incoming Iranian missiles, while Iran claimed responsibility for strikes targeting all three nations, each of which hosts US military forces. US Navy Admiral Brad Cooper confirmed Iran had launched dozens of missiles and drones at neighbouring Gulf Arab states.
President Trump, speaking publicly on Tuesday night, warned that further strikes were coming over the next two days and that bridges and power plants could be targeted within a week if negotiations did not resume. Washington has already struck at least one bridge. "You better make a deal, or you're not going to have anything left," Trump said. The threat echoed earlier warnings from the president over renewed strikes and a stalled peace plan.
What Comes Next
With the interim ceasefire effectively dead, both sides showing no sign of stepping back, and Iran now threatening the entire region's energy export infrastructure, the coming days will be critical. The prospect of a full resumption of large-scale conflict — and its knock-on effects for global energy prices and regional stability — remains very much alive.
