Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz a Red Line Amid U.S. Strikes

Tehran has responded to the sustained aerial campaign by launching direct retaliatory strikes against U.S. military installations in the region. Iranian officials issued a pointed warning to neighboring states, cautioning against the use of their territory for foreign operations. This confrontation signals a return to active hostility that risks destabilizing international energy markets and dragging the Middle East into a wider conflict. As military assets remain engaged, the shutdown of the strait remains the most significant lever in Iran's strategic defense, effectively severing a vital global energy passage.