Iran warned that its forces could attack US warships enforcing Washington’s blockade on Iranian shipping. It raises the risk of a wider confrontation in the Gulf. Oil prices also climbed to a six-week high as markets assess the threat of further disruption through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Acting Defence Minister, Brigadier General Majid Ibn Reza, said Iranian forces can strike US naval vessels involved in enforcing what Tehran describes as an ‘economic blockade’.
The warning came two days after US forces struck three Iranian crude-oil carriers, according to reports.
US Central Command said its forces had redirected 94 commercial vessels by September 7. It said three vessels had been disabled and two others boarded during operations against Iranian shipping.
The latest escalation followed Iranian ballistic missile attacks targeting two US Navy warships, according to the US military. The vessels avoided the attacks before US forces moved against the Iranian tankers.
Iranian state media also reported a revised missile doctrine that permits Tehran to act against threats before they are carried out.
Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, claimed the upgraded capability had been tested against a US warship. The claim could not be independently verified.
It was also unclear whether the weapon involved was Iran’s Qassem Basir ballistic missile. Iranian officials have previously said the missile has a range of at least 1,200 kilometres.
Oil markets have reacted to the growing risks around the strategic waterway. Brent crude reached USD 98.06 a barrel on Monday before settling at USD 97.31.
US West Texas Intermediate stood at USD 92.53, while UAE benchmark Murban was trading around USD 106.80.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major route for global energy shipments. Any prolonged disruption could tighten crude supplies and keep pressure on oil prices.
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