Iran has warned that 'Americans are getting close to the zero hour' for strikes on US warships, as the war between the nations continues to escalate. Tehran says it will hit ships around the Gulf of Oman, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has stated two oil tankers are on fire after attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Statement and Threats
'The movements and equipment of the American terrorist army are under the supervision of the naval units of the Islamic Republic of Iran,' the IRGC-Navy said in a statement released by Iranian media on Friday local time. 'Americans are getting closer to the zero hour for operations against [US Central Command] naval units in the region’s waters.'
The statement also warned vessels not to enter the mined route south of the Strait of Hormuz, stating, 'Vessels should not be deceived and enter the mined route to preserve their capital and, more importantly, their lives.' Two oil tankers were reportedly 'detonated and engulfed in a massive fire' after passing through that route, and the Strait of Hormuz is now considered closed and 'severely unsafe.'
US Strikes and Iranian Retaliation
The US expanded its attacks against Iran by hitting more bridges and energy sites and collapsing a tower at a key Iranian port, following through on President Donald Trump’s threats to pressure Tehran to ease its chokehold on the waterway vital to world energy supplies. CENTCOM wrote in a statement on X: 'CENTCOM launched a round of strikes against Iran at 3 p.m. ET today for the seventh consecutive night. The strikes are designed to continue degrading Iranian military capabilities at the Commander in Chief's direction.'
In response, Iran launched missiles into US-allied nations in the Mideast, including Qatar, a mediator in the war, and Kuwait, where one of the desert nation’s water desalination plants was damaged. Iranian officials say recent US strikes have killed dozens of people and wounded hundreds and have promised swift retribution.
