IRGC Threatens to Completely Close Strait of Hormuz if Trump Attacks Iran's Energy Infrastructure

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stark warning that it will completely close the Strait of Hormuz if President Trump carries through with threats to attack Iran's energy infrastructure.

“Iran has threatened to hit energy sites in the Middle East after United States President Donald Trump threatened to attack its power plants if Tehran does not open the strategic Strait of Hormuz”

Al Jazeera

Iran's powerful military arm responded directly to Trump's 48-hour ultimatum demanding Iran fully reopen the vital waterway.

Al Jazeera

The IRGC stated in a formal declaration that Iran will 'completely shut the strait' if Trump proceeds with threats against Iranian energy facilities.

The IRGC further warned that companies with US shares would be 'completely destroyed' if Washington targets Iran's energy infrastructure.

Energy facilities in countries hosting American bases would become 'lawful' targets for Iranian retaliation.

This comes amid heightened regional tensions as the US-Israeli war against Iran enters its fourth week.

Both sides are engaging in tit-for-tat strikes on strategic infrastructure and energy facilities.

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf intensified the rhetoric by warning that any attack on Iran's power plants would trigger an immediate and irreversible response against vital infrastructure across the entire Middle East region.

In a post on the social media platform X, Ghalibaf declared that 'immediately after power plants and infrastructure in our country are targeted, vital infrastructure as well as energy and oil infrastructure across the entire region will be considered legitimate targets and will be irreversibly destroyed.'

Boston

He specifically warned that oil prices would 'rise for a long time' as a consequence of such escalation.

Iranian military officials from the Khatam al-Anbiya operational command reinforced these threats, stating that if the U.S. attacks Iran's fuel and energy infrastructure, then Iran would target all U.S. energy, information technology and desalination infrastructure in the region.

The Iranian military's operational command specifically mentioned targeting 'power plants, energy, and information and communications technology infrastructure' along with facilities in countries hosting American bases.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean, has become the focal point of this dangerous escalation due to its critical importance to global energy markets.

“CAIRO (AP) — Iran responded Sunday with threats of its own, a day after President Donald Trump warned the United States will “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if Tehran fails to fully open the Strait of Hormuz in 48 hours and Iranian missiles struck two cities near Israel’s main nuclear research center, injuring dozens and shattering apartment buildings”

Boston

The strategic passage normally carries one-fifth of global seaborne crude oil, one-fifth of LNG shipments, and one-third of the most widely used fertilizer.

Any disruption in the strait is capable of triggering worldwide economic consequences.

Iran has effectively closed the strait to most commercial shipping since February 28, when the US and Israel launched their initial strikes.

The regime claims it remains open to vessels from 'friendly' nations.

Iran's representative to the International Maritime Organization, Ali Mousavi, stated that the strait is 'open to all except those who violate our soil'.

Ships not connected to 'Iran's enemies' could potentially pass through if they coordinate security arrangements with Tehran.

The threat of Iranian attacks has kept most vessels away, creating what amounts to a de facto closure.

This has already sent European gas prices surging as much as 35% and caused significant disruptions to global supply chains.

International legal experts and human rights organizations have raised serious concerns about the potential targeting of civilian energy infrastructure, which could constitute violations of international humanitarian law.

Under the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law, attacks on 'objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population' are prohibited.

CNBC

Collateral civilian harm from strikes must not be 'excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated.'

Legal scholars have noted that power plants that primarily benefit civilians can only be targeted if the military advantage outweighs the suffering inflicted on civilian populations.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed concern about the proximity of recent strikes to nuclear facilities.

Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stressed that 'maximum military restraint should be observed, in particular in the vicinity of nuclear facilities.'

The World Health Organization has warned that the conflict has reached a 'perilous stage' and urged all parties to exercise maximum military restraint to avoid triggering nuclear incidents.

The escalating rhetoric between Washington and Tehran has created what analysts describe as a dangerous 'infrastructure war' that threatens to expand the conflict beyond its current regional scope.

This situation potentially triggers global economic consequences as energy prices continue to surge.

CNN

The Trump administration has come under intense domestic and international pressure as crude oil reaches above $100 since the start of the war.

Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent told NBC News that the administration was leaving 'all options on the table' when it comes to seeing the strait reopened.

Bessent noted that 'sometimes you have to escalate to de-escalate.'

Regional experts believe that Iran is unlikely to capitulate to pressure.

Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi of Chatham House stated it was 'unlikely' Tehran would 'cave into the pressure' Trump is seeking to build.

European and Gulf states have condemned the situation, with one EU diplomat warning that 'the Strait must remain open to ensure global energy stability'.

Analysts warn that the conflict could accelerate fundamental reassessments of global energy security frameworks.

This may lead to more regionalized energy markets with reduced global integration.

The global economic impact of the Hormuz crisis has already been significant, with energy prices soaring worldwide and supply chains facing renewed strain.

This affects everything from transportation costs to food production.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent estimated that 140 million barrels of crude oil are currently at sea in floating storage.

These represent stuck exports rather than just Iranian crude.

The US has attempted to alleviate pressure by lifting some sanctions on Iranian oil at sea.

They've also eased the Jones Act shipping regulations, though these measures have had limited impact so far.

The agricultural sector has also been affected, with rising fertilizer costs from the partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

This could potentially impact global food supplies.

US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins told Fox News that most farmers had already submitted fertilizer orders last fall.

She suggested 'there shouldn't be too much of a disruption or an increase in the cost of planting for at least most of our farmers.'

Despite such reassurances, the World Food Programme has warned that supply chains could face their most severe disruption since the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.