Iran Threatens to Close Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Conflict

KATHMANDU. As the conflict with the United States and Israel enters its fourth week, Iran has threatened to indefinitely close the Strait of Hormuz, considered the world's most important commercial trade route. 

The Iranian Armed Forces headquarters issued the warning, stating that the strait would be closed in retaliation if the United States bombs Iran's energy facilities.

The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned the United States that if Iran's energy infrastructure is attacked, financial institutions and infrastructure in the region funded by the US military budget will be considered legitimate targets. 

Writing on social media platform X, he stated, "If our energy centers are hit, all oil and energy facilities in this region will be destroyed and oil prices will remain high for a long time."

He also alerted those purchasing US Treasury bonds, noting that those sectors are being monitored. Previously, the US President had warned that Iranian infrastructure would be bombed if the Strait of Hormuz was not opened for shipping within 48 hours. US Central Command has stated it is destroying Iranian naval targets that obstruct international ship operations.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a new phase of airstrikes on various strategic locations in Tehran on Monday. According to the IDF, damage was inflicted on military training centers, missile storage facilities, weapon production sites, and the headquarters of the Intelligence Ministry in Tehran. 

Due to Iran's recent ballistic missile attack on Israel, 15 people were injured in central Israel, and several houses and roads were damaged. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Iran an "enemy of civilization and the free world," stating that the United States and Israel will continue to use strong force against the Iranian terrorist regime.

These recent developments have increased the risk of a major war in the Middle East, which is expected to have a serious impact on the world's energy supply and economic stability.