Iran threatens to close Strait of Hormuz, hit 'twice the number of targets' as US - report

What Happened

On Wednesday, Iran’s state broadcaster Press TV quoted an unnamed Iranian source who threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, reopen it only “as per the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),” and “strike at least twice the number of targets hit” in retaliation for any U.S. attacks. The source said Iran “does not distinguish between the United States and its partners in the region” and warned that President Trump “will certainly lose both the Strait of Hormuz and the negotiations over a final agreement.” The threat followed U.S. strikes early that day on Bandar Abbas and Bushehr that killed eight members of the Iranian army’s air force and navy, according to Iranian state media. Separately, U.S. President Donald Trump told a press conference in Ankara that the U.S. would “probably hit Iran tonight” and “hit them hard,” citing a “score to settle” over decades of Iranian actions, and raised the possibility of reimposing a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, stating that Iranian mines might be an issue because “we destroyed their boats.”

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The exchange of threats and strikes escalates direct U.S.-Iran military hostilities, with the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global oil transit chokepoint—at the center. Iranian closure threats and Trump’s blockade remarks raise the prospect of a major disruption to energy markets and naval confrontation. The killing of Iranian military personnel on their soil pressures Iran’s deterrence calculus, while the invocation of the obscure Islamabad MoU hints at possible diplomatic off-ramps. Trump’s comments from a NATO summit in Turkey link the crisis to alliance dynamics.

Watch For

Monitor satellite imagery and maritime alerts for any Iranian actions to mine or close the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Navy force posture changes in the Gulf, and potential retaliatory strikes by Iran or its proxies. Watch for diplomatic efforts, particularly any clarification of the Islamabad MoU reference and whether Pakistan or Oman play mediating roles. Upcoming IAEA Board of Governors sessions and U.N. Security Council consultations may address the escalation.