US–Iran escalation intensified on Thursday after President Donald Trump announced that the United States would launch “very strong strikes” against Iran on Friday night.
The announcement comes amid growing regional tensions, with Russia calling for restraint and Iran declaring that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until further notice.
Trump Announces “Very Strong” Strikes
President Trump said the United States plans to carry out powerful strikes against Iran, adding that Washington intends in the near future to take control of Kharg Island and several other key oil infrastructure sites.
He also stated that Iran has lost its fleet, air force, radar systems, and most of its offensive capabilities.
The remarks signal a significant escalation in rhetoric and potentially in military action, particularly given the strategic importance of Kharg Island as a major Iranian oil export terminal.
Russia Calls for Restraint and Dialogue
Moscow expressed concern over the renewed rise in tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia is worried about the latest developments and urged all parties to exercise restraint and return to negotiations.
He warned that the new wave of tensions poses not only a risk to the Middle East but could also have negative repercussions for the global economy.
Peskov stressed that increased confrontation could affect regional stability and international economic conditions, reiterating the need for dialogue to resolve outstanding disputes.
Iran Says US Attacks Undermine Ceasefire
Iran’s Foreign Ministry described US strikes on Iranian territory as a blatant violation of sovereignty.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the American attacks render any ceasefire meaningless, characterizing them as clear aggression.
He added that Iran’s own strikes are acts of self-defense and therefore carry no legal consequences under international law, according to Tehran’s position.
Strait of Hormuz Closed Until Further Notice
In a major development, the Iranian authority managing the Strait of Hormuz announced that the strategic waterway would remain closed until further notice.
The statement cited tensions caused by US forces as the reason for the closure.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy corridor, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments pass. Any prolonged disruption could have far-reaching consequences for global energy markets and trade flows.
Regional and Global Implications
The current US–Iran escalation raises concerns over:
– Potential large-scale military confrontation.
– Disruption of global oil and gas markets.
– Broader instability across the Middle East.
– Increased economic uncertainty worldwide.
With military threats, diplomatic warnings, and strategic waterways affected, the situation remains highly volatile.
Conclusion:
The US–Iran escalation has entered a critical phase, with Washington announcing major strikes, Tehran closing the Strait of Hormuz, and Moscow urging restraint. The coming days will be pivotal in determining whether the crisis deepens into wider conflict or shifts back toward diplomatic engagement.
