Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it would not allow “one litre of oil” to leave the Middle East while U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran continue, raising fears of a major disruption to global energy supplies. The warning comes as the conflict, which began in late February, intensifies across the region.

The threat centers on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supply normally passes. The ongoing conflict has already effectively halted tanker traffic through the waterway for more than a week, forcing producers to slow or stop pumping as storage facilities reach capacity.

President Trump responded with a stark warning that any attempt by Iran to block the flow of oil would trigger a far more intense U.S. military response.

“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America twenty times harder than they have been hit thus far,” Trump wrote in a social media post.

Despite the sharp rhetoric, Trump also suggested the conflict could end sooner than expected, saying U.S. strikes have already inflicted heavy damage on Iran’s military infrastructure. However, he has not clearly defined what would constitute victory in the war.

The conflict has taken a heavy toll on Iran, where officials say more than 1,300 civilians have been killed and thousands wounded in air and missile strikes carried out by the United States and Israel since late February. Key infrastructure, including oil facilities and military sites, has also been damaged.

Iran has shown little sign of backing down. The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader has been interpreted by analysts as a signal that Tehran intends to maintain a hard-line stance despite mounting military pressure.

The escalating confrontation has rattled global financial markets and sent oil prices swinging sharply as traders assess the risk of a prolonged disruption to Middle East energy supplies.

Diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider regional war are ongoing, but with both sides issuing increasingly severe warnings, the situation remains highly volatile.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

According to Iranian maritime authorities, the incident occurred when an Iranian support vessel operating in international waters reportedly came under fire from a submarine believed to belong to the United States Navy. Officials say the attack caused significant damage to the vessel and injured multiple crew members.

Sri Lankan port officials confirmed that the damaged ship requested emergency assistance and was allowed to dock at a southern Sri Lankan port for medical and technical support. A group of injured sailors were transported to a nearby hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment for blast-related and shrapnel injuries. Hospital authorities said most of the sailors are in stable condition.

Iranian officials condemned the incident, calling it an “unprovoked and dangerous act” that endangered civilian maritime personnel. In a statement released by the Iranian foreign ministry, authorities said they are investigating the circumstances of the attack and are considering diplomatic responses.

The United States has not officially confirmed involvement in the reported strike. However, a U.S. defense official speaking anonymously told international media that American naval forces are regularly operating in the region to monitor maritime security and protect shipping routes.

Sri Lankan authorities said their priority is providing humanitarian assistance to the injured sailors and ensuring safety within their territorial waters. The government has not commented on the alleged source of the attack but confirmed that it is coordinating with maritime agencies and diplomatic representatives from both countries.

The Indian Ocean remains a strategically sensitive region where naval forces from multiple countries operate. Analysts say incidents involving military vessels can quickly escalate tensions if not clarified through diplomatic channels.

For now, hospital officials say the injured sailors are expected to remain under medical observation for several days as doctors continue treatment.

Further details about the vessel involved and the exact circumstances surrounding the reported submarine attack remain under investigation.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________