Iran Warns of Retaliation Against US Forces Amid Rising Tensions in Strait of Hormuz

Tehran, May 2026 : The Navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stern warning to the United States, declaring that any aggression against Iranian oil tankers or commercial vessels would trigger a “heavy attack” on American military installations and allied ships in the region.

The warning came through a statement posted on social media platform X following escalating tensions and sporadic confrontations between Iranian and US forces in and around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz over the past two days.

According to Iranian officials, Tehran tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz beginning February 28, restricting the movement of vessels linked to or affiliated with Israel and the United States. The move followed joint military strikes allegedly carried out by the two countries on Iranian territory, according to reports carried by Xinhua News Agency.

Iran has accused the United States of escalating tensions further by imposing a naval blockade in the region, preventing ships travelling to and from Iranian ports from freely transiting through the waterway. Iranian authorities also claimed that US military forces had attacked several Iranian ships and oil tankers in recent days, intensifying fears of a broader regional confrontation.

In a separate message posted on X, the IRGC’s Aerospace Division claimed that Iranian missiles and drones had already locked onto US military targets in the region as well as vessels belonging to what it described as the “aggressive enemy.”

“We are awaiting the order to fire,” the statement said, signalling Tehran’s readiness for possible military escalation if tensions continue to rise.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical maritime routes, carrying a significant portion of global oil exports. Any disruption in the region is closely watched by global markets and international powers because of its potential impact on energy supplies and regional stability.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington was still expecting a message from Iran as uncertainty persisted over the progress of ongoing nuclear negotiations between the two countries.

When asked whether Tehran was intentionally delaying the talks, Trump told reporters, “We’ll find out soon enough.”

The US President also warned that Washington could adopt a tougher approach if diplomatic negotiations fail to produce results.

“We’ll go a different route if everything doesn’t get signed up, buttoned up,” Trump said. “We may go back to Project Freedom if things don’t happen, but it’ll be Project Freedom Plus. Meaning Project Freedom plus other things.”

The sharp exchange of warnings and military signalling from both sides has further heightened tensions in West Asia, with international observers closely monitoring developments in the Strait of Hormuz amid fears of a wider conflict involving regional and global powers.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)