The Persian Gulf is a semi-enclosed sea extending from the Strait of Hormuz to the Shatt al-Arab, bordering Iran and the Arab Gulf states. Known as a critical global energy corridor, with roughly 20% of world oil exports transiting its waters, and a persistent flashpoint for U.S.-Iran naval rivalry. Recently, the Gulf has been the center of active naval blockade enforcement, IRGC vessel interdictions, tanker strikes, and competing U.S. and Iranian claims over maritime control. Last updated 5 days ago
Former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin: "There is no easy way out."
Austin says both Washington and Tehran believe they can outlast the other, which makes a diplomatic breakthrough harder. He also says the Gulf will never return to its prewar state, citing damaged infrastructure, threats to the Strait of Hormuz and growing military cooperation among U.S. adversaries.
“Prior to the war, 30-40 US Navy warships were operating in the Persian Gulf.
Today, the situation has completely changed.
US vessels have now moved at least 500km from the Strait of Hormuz, making the current US threats an attempt to portray a clear defeat as victory”
"The west of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf are under the full control of the Revolutionary Guards' navy. To the east of the strait, there is full control of the Iranian army's navy."
"I think that the connection of the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Bab al-Mandab, will change the scene of the war."
He added that if the Americans start a new war, a new front may open centered on the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab, and asked whether they are ready to fight there.
Spectator Report: Britain’s rupture with Israel is reportedly costing it influence across the Gulf.
Arab states rely on intelligence passed from Israel through MI6 because Israeli capabilities are “light years ahead” of regional services, security sources said.
Ed Miliband thought isolating Israel would increase Britain’s influence. Instead, Gulf states are cutting investment and asking why London abandoned the intelligence power they actually rely on.
Iranian media says two fishing boats were struck in a drone attack near Kergan port in the Persian Gulf waters of Hormozgan on Monday evening. Several fishermen aboard the two vessels are missing. Rescue forces and responsible agencies are conducting search and rescue operations in the area, and the status of the missing fishermen remains under investigation.
A regional meeting on securing commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is set for Monday in Oman, bringing together Iran, Iraq, and the Persian Gulf coastal states. - Iranian Foreign Ministry
Not a single Iranian crude shipment has cleared the Persian Gulf since the U.S. naval blockade resumed in mid-July, the Wall Street Journal reports. Iran's oil stored in tankers outside the Gulf has fallen from 90 million barrels to 29 million, and could run dry by mid-October.
“In recent days,Washington has received a clear warning from ‘Iran’s new missiles.’ Economic warfare will be met by a maritime exclusion zone across the Persian Gulf to the blockade perimeter.The operational posture toward U.S. warships and bases has been fundamentally recalibrated.”
“In recent days, Washington has received a clear warning from Iran's new missiles.
Economic warfare will be met by a maritime exclusion zone across the Persian Gulf to the blockade perimeter.The operational posture toward U.S. warships and bases has been fundamentally recalibrated.”
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baqaei: Any foreign military presence or participation in Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz operations is "direct support for the perpetrators of this aggression" and will have "serious consequences."
He was reacting to reports South Korea may send non-combat equipment near the strait.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary, Maj. Gen. Rezaee:
A prohibited zone outside the Strait of Hormuz will be announced in the coming days. It will extend from the US Navy's blockade line into areas of the Persian Gulf. Any ship entering the zone will be placed on the sanctions list.
Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran's parliamentary National Security Commission: conditions in the Persian Gulf have changed. Enemies who once operated freely in the region have now fled 500 miles away and cannot open the "lock of the Strait of Hormuz."
No confirmed attacks in the last 72 hours across the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, or Gulf of Oman, per the Joint Maritime Information Center. Regional threat level remains SEVERE.
IRGC harassment persists in Hormuz, including UAV overflight and surveillance of merchant shipping. Mine danger areas stay active.
Iran’s latest National Security Adviser Moshen Rezee threatens all Gulf oil exporters:
“If the economic war continues, not a single drop of oil will be exported٫ neither through the Strait of Hormuz nor from anywhere in the Persian Gulf. Iran will regard any country’s participation in or support for America’s economic war against the Iranian people as an act of war.”
