Iran Threatens ‘Long And Painful Strikes’ If US Resumes Military Action

Iran has warned it will carry out “long and painful strikes” against American targets if the United States renews military attacks, underscoring persistent tensions despite an existing ceasefire.

A senior commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Majid Mousavi, said any fresh US action, even if limited, would provoke a widespread response across the region.

“We’ve seen what happened to your regional bases, we will see the same thing happen to your warships,” he said.The warning comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed two months into the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

The critical shipping route, which handles roughly 20 percent of global oil and gas supply, has seen disruptions that continue to push energy prices upward.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, signalled Tehran’s determination to maintain control over the waterway.

“Foreigners who come from thousands of kilometres away, have no place there except at the bottom of its waters,” he said.

In Washington, Donald Trump is reportedly weighing further military options and is expected to receive briefings on potential new strikes aimed at compelling Iran back to negotiations.

However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, downplayed prospects for a quick diplomatic breakthrough, noting that expectations for rapid progress in talks may be unrealistic regardless of mediation efforts.

Although a ceasefire has been in place since April 8, Iran continues to block the strait in response to US naval restrictions on its oil exports, keeping the standoff unresolved.

The situation has raised broader global concerns, with António Guterres warning that prolonged disruption could weaken economic growth and deepen poverty worldwide.

“The longer this vital artery is choked, the harder it will be to reverse the damage,” he said.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has advised its citizens against travel to Iran, Lebanon, and Iraq, urging those currently in those countries to return home.

Despite the heightened tensions, Trump has maintained that Iran will not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and expressed confidence that fuel prices would decline once the conflict subsides.