U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance escalated his threats against Iran, warning that any attack on commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz would be met with a much harsher military response. Vance asserted that Iran's nuclear capacity and military capabilities have now been neutralized.
Speaking in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Vance recalled the terms of the agreement reached with Iran. "The basic deal was: If you stop shooting at ships, we lift the blockade. If you shoot, we respond, and our response will be much harsher than before," he said.
Claiming that Iran had resumed firing on ships 24 hours ago after about a week of calm, Vance said, "The deal is very simple: If they shoot at ships, we destroy them. It's that simple, and that's the logic of the treatment."
The vital importance of the Strait of Hormuz for the U.S.
Emphasizing the critical importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, Vance said this means the uninterrupted flow of oil and gas to the American people. He also reiterated President Donald Trump's words that this vital waterway, through which a significant portion of the global energy supply passes, must be kept open.
Vance argued that there are elements within the Iranian regime who want to change relations with Washington, and stated that President Trump is ready to sit at the negotiating table with these factions.
Recent U.S. strikes
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it conducted additional airstrikes against Iran on Wednesday night. The strikes were aimed at weakening Tehran's capacity to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
On Tuesday, it was claimed that at least three commercial ships, including oil tankers belonging to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, were subjected to shelling and drone attacks of unknown origin while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Following these claims, CENTCOM announced that it had carried out airstrikes on more than 80 targets inside Iran. The targets included radar systems, missile batteries, and more than 60 small boats belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guard, it was noted.
