Iran pledges Hormuz closure as pressure tool amid tanker attacks near Basra
Iran’s next-generation leadership, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first public statement since his election last week, state media reported. In a written message, he pledged to keep the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a pressure tool against adversaries and to avenge martyrs tied to the Minab incident, signaling a continued hard line in the broader regional confrontation.
Iranian President Masoud Fezekiyehian presented what was described as a possible exit strategy, offering ceasefire conditions that could end the fighting. He suggested that Iran is prepared to consider a ceasefire on terms that would recognize Iran’s stated rights and security guarantees.
In separate remarks reflected by state outlets, Mojtaba Khamenei affirmed that Tehran would persist in treating the Hormuz blockade as a priority and indicated that, if necessary, attacks could target U.S. bases in the region. He emphasized that Iran values neighborly ties but will not refrain from striking bases if compelled to defend itself.
On the Iraqi coast, the Iraqi government said two oil tankers were attacked in Iraqi waters near the Basra port on the night of the 11th, causing fires on both ships. The incident underscores how the wider confrontation is spilling into Gulf approaches used by global shipping routes.
The Strait of Hormuz, which channels roughly a quarter of the world’s oil shipments, remains a focal point of the risk to global energy markets. Analysts warn that heightened tensions could disrupt supply chains and influence oil prices, with ripple effects for U.S. energy security and inflation dynamics.
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Axios in a brief interview, saying the conflict in the region could end “soon” if he decides to end it, adding that “there are almost no targets left to strike.” He also claimed that much of Iran’s mine-related defenses in the Hormuz area had been removed, saying “59–60 vessels” had been dealt with.
During a visit to Kentucky, Trump repeated his assertion of a swift victory, telling reporters that “we won,” and that he does not want to end the effort prematurely but intends to complete the mission.
Iran’s president later posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the only way to end the war sparked by Israel and the United States is for Iran’s legitimate rights to be recognized, for compensation to be paid, and for firm international guarantees against further attacks. Bloomberg cited unnamed officials as saying Iran has told mediators that a ceasefire would hinge on such assurances from both Washington and Tel Aviv.
Bloomberg also reported that Iran has signaled to mediation partners that the agreement would require a commitment from both the United States and Israel to prevent future airstrikes, suggesting a broader effort to constrain future hostilities after a potential halt to active fighting.
The latest exchanges come as the United States and Iran engage in what both sides describe as a high-stakes confrontation over Middle East security, with potential implications for global energy markets, regional stability, and U.S. policy toward Iran and its allies. For U.S. readers, the situation is a direct test of energy resilience, security commitments to regional partners, and the risk of escalation affecting markets and supply chains.