• Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy commander declares targeting of US, UK vessels, and any ships carrying cargo for Israel in the Gulf.
  • Joint US-Israeli strikes have hit Iranian military sites, prompting retaliatory threats to close the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Energy prices spike amid risks to global oil transit and commercial shipping, with EU and US forces monitoring disruptions.

An unnamed Iranian Revolutionary Guards Navy commander stated via Iranian state media that Iran is targeting US, UK vessels, and any ships regardless of flag carrying cargo for Israel in the Gulf, amid escalating US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began around March 2, 2026. This declaration marks a sharp escalation in maritime threats, directly challenging international navigation freedoms in a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies.

Joint US-Israeli military operations have struck Iranian command centers, ballistic missile sites, navy ships, submarines, and anti-ship missile sites, with US President Trump claiming 10 Iranian ships "knocked out" and progress ahead of a 4-5 week timeline, though warning of potential prolongation. In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) retaliated by claiming strikes on 500 US and Israeli sites using over 700 drones and hundreds of missiles, while declaring the Strait of Hormuz closed to transit and threatening to "burn" any attempting ships, halt oil exports, and target pipelines. Efforts to de-escalate have hit a snag, according to people familiar with the matter, with no immediate diplomatic breakthroughs in sight.

Energy prices have spiked due to risks in the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global oil transit, threatening commercial shipping, freedom of navigation, and EU economic stability. IRGC controls lucrative ports like Bandar Abbas and funds proxies via oil revenue; broader disruptions echo Houthi attacks rerouting ships around Africa's Cape of Good Hope, inflating costs. Supply chains face major threats as the US-Iran conflict widens, with verbal IRGC threats amplifying navigation risks. EU's Operation Aspides is monitoring disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, with France deploying additional frigates; the US has discouraged navigation in the area, citing heightened safety concerns for crews.

Trump labeled Iran's regime a "terrorist" nuclear threat, justifying strikes to eliminate missile and naval capacities. IRGC's Quds Force warned the US "will no longer be safe anywhere," signaling global retaliation intent. EU Commission is tracking energy markets, transport risks, internal security via Europol, and migration with UN agencies. This builds on post-2015 JCPOA weapons shipments and Iran's hostile naval actions against international vessels, such as the seizure of tankers like Suez Rajan in 2023 and Niovi in May 2023, often linked to Israeli cargo or US actions.

Short-term, a prolonged Strait closure could halt oil flows, spike prices further, and prompt naval retasking by EU/US forces. Long-term, the risk of wider war disrupting global trade routes looms, potentially empowering IRGC proxies like Houthis and Hezbollah. Trump indicated US capability for extended operations; experts note Iran's port control sustains funding for threats. Without a deal to reopen transit, shipping firms face rerouting delays and increased insurance premiums, impacting global logistics. Attempts to reach Iranian officials for comment were unsuccessful at press time.

This article was updated to clarify the timeline of US-Israeli strikes and Iran's retaliatory claims.