Iran’s Guards Threaten To Hit US Bases In Retaliation For Hormuz Escorts

Iran’s Guards Threaten to Hit US Bases in Retaliation for Hormuz Escorts Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has threatened to strike United States military bases across the Middle East if Washington continues escorting ships through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions between the two countries. In a statement published on its Sepah News website on Thursday, the Guards warned that continued US military involvement in protecting vessels navigating the waterway could extend the conflict to American bases in the region. “The US military must know that if this trend continues, the conflict will extend to its bases in the region,” the statement said. “This is a serious warning,” the Guards added. The threat comes as Washington increases its naval escort operations through the strait, while Tehran continues to assert control over the vital shipping route. The Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Before the conflict erupted in February, approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies passed through the waterway. Iranian forces said on Thursday that four ships had been hit in the wider Gulf area overnight as they attempted to navigate the region. The IRGC Navy also claimed that four vessels involved in oil transfers in the northern Persian Gulf were struck on Wednesday and caught fire. It further reported that three other vessels had hit naval mines west of the Strait of Hormuz. The claims could not be independently verified, and details about the vessels, possible casualties and the extent of the damage remained unclear. The incidents underline the growing risks facing commercial shipping as the confrontation between Iran and the United States intensifies. Iran has repeatedly warned vessels against using routes it considers unauthorised, while the US military has been escorting ships through the waterway in an effort to support maritime movement. Washington has also maintained a naval blockade on Iranian ports as part of efforts to pressure Tehran economically. The continuing confrontation has complicated diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, with negotiations reportedly deadlocked. The Guards’ latest warning raises the possibility of a broader regional confrontation if American forces continue escorting vessels through the disputed maritime corridor. Any escalation could have significant implications for international shipping, energy markets and countries dependent on oil and gas transported through the Gulf.The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical flashpoint, with the competing security and navigation claims of Iran and the United States threatening to disrupt one of the world’s most important trade routes.