A senior Iranian source described the recent confrontation between Iran and the United States as “limited,” stressing at the same time that Tehran is ready to respond forcefully if it is exposed to any new attack.
Reuters quoted the source, who is familiar with the details of Iranian decision-making and who requested anonymity, as saying that the latest Iranian response showed that “there is no goal in the region beyond Tehran’s reach.”
He added that the conditions in the Strait of Hormuz will become more difficult for ships that violate the rules set by Iran to cross the waterway.
The source’s statements came after a new round of escalation that began with American strikes targeting two Iranian launching pads on Lark Island near the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command said they were linked to preparations to plant sea mines in the Strait. Iran responded by launching ballistic missiles towards American bases in Jordan, while the Jordanian army announced the interception of 8 missiles that entered the Kingdom’s airspace.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important energy sea lanes in the world, as before the war, about a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments crossed it, while ship traffic through it declined sharply with the escalation of security tensions.
