Trump Threatens New Strikes as Iran Blocks Hormuz Strait

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy reported that two supertankers caught fire after hitting naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz on October 25. While Iran claims the vessels used unauthorized routes, other reports indicate Tehran destroyed navigational aid systems and targeted four tankers to halt traffic. These incidents mark the most intense period of maritime attacks in the region since March 2026.

Donald Trump responded to the escalation by signaling the possibility of renewed military strikes against Iran. He referenced a potential second "Epic Fury" operation, similar to the large-scale joint U.S.-Israeli campaign launched in February 2026, and suggested the United States could seize Iranian oil or "take the whole country."

In Tehran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that a resumption of war would not alter Iran's strategic positions, asserting that the conflict has created "new realities" regarding the management of the strait. Simultaneously, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei called for compensation for damages caused by the February 28 U.S.-Israeli attacks.

International efforts to stabilize the waterway continue as foreign ministers from eight regional and European nations met in Istanbul to call for the reopening of the strait. Tensions remain high as the U.S. maintains a naval counter-blockade on Iranian ports following the collapse of a June memorandum of understanding intended to settle the conflict.