IRIA News

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U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Iran’s energy infrastructure could be destroyed if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as fighting across the region continues to intensify.

The warning came after Iran rejected U.S. peace proposals and launched new missile attacks on Israel. The conflict, now in its second month, has expanded beyond the original battlefield and is increasingly drawing in regional actors.

Israel’s military said it intercepted two drones launched from Yemen, where Iran-aligned Houthi forces have entered the conflict. The Houthis fired missiles at Israel earlier, signaling a widening of the war.

At the same time, Hezbollah launched rockets from Lebanon into Israel. Israeli forces responded with strikes targeting what they described as military infrastructure in both Tehran and Beirut.

Smoke was seen rising over Beirut following Israeli strikes on Hezbollah-linked sites, as cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah resumed.

Missile Incident over Turkiye

Turkiye said a ballistic missile fired from Iran entered its airspace before being intercepted by NATO missile defense systems in the eastern Mediterranean. It was the fourth such incident since the conflict began.

The development highlights the risk of the war spreading beyond its current borders and affecting neighboring countries.

Thousands of troops from the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division have begun arriving in the Middle East, according to U.S. officials. The deployment is part of a broader reinforcement effort that could expand Washington’s military options, including possible operations inside Iran.

The war began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Since then, it has caused widespread destruction, killed thousands, and disrupted global energy markets. Many of the reported casualties have been civilians, particularly in Iran and Lebanon.

Iran Remains Defiant

Iran confirmed the death of Revolutionary Guards Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri, one of several senior figures killed during the conflict. Among those previously reported dead is Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has been replaced by his son Mojtaba Khamenei.

Tehran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route that carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.

Iran said it received U.S. peace proposals through intermediaries following talks involving regional foreign ministers. However, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei rejected the proposals.

“Our position is clear. We are under military aggression. Therefore, all our efforts and strength are focused on defending ourselves,” he said.

Shortly after Iran’s response, Trump said the U.S. was negotiating with what he described as a “more reasonable regime” in Iran, while also escalating his rhetoric.

“Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately ‘Open for Business,’ we will conclude our lovely ‘stay’ in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island,” Trump wrote.

He also warned that desalination plants supplying clean water in Iran could be targeted. Trump had previously said attacks on Iran’s energy facilities would be paused for 10 days, a period set to end on April 6.

Diplomatic Efforts Face Challenges

A Pakistani official involved in mediation efforts said direct talks between the U.S. and Iran were unlikely in the immediate future.

Baghaei also said Iran’s parliament was reviewing a possible withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, raising further concerns about nuclear escalation.

Trump has said preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons is a key objective of the conflict, while Tehran denies seeking such capabilities.

Fears of Wider Escalation

The conflict is increasingly affecting multiple fronts. Iran has launched strikes toward Arab Gulf states, while fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has intensified.

Two members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were killed in southern Lebanon after their vehicle was destroyed by an explosion of unknown origin. The incident followed another peacekeeper’s death within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, attacks by the Houthis have raised concerns about the security of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another critical global shipping route.

Oil Markets and Economic Impact

Global oil markets have reacted sharply to the conflict. Brent crude prices are on track for a monthly increase of nearly 60%, reflecting fears of prolonged disruption.

Analysts say markets are increasingly expecting further escalation rather than a negotiated settlement.

The International Monetary Fund warned that the conflict is severely affecting the economies of countries in the region and weakening global recovery prospects.

Leaders from the G7 said they are ready to take “all necessary measures” to stabilize energy markets and limit the broader economic impact.

Despite ongoing diplomatic contacts, both sides continue to escalate militarily. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, combined with expanding regional involvement, has raised concerns about a prolonged and wider conflict.

With military deployments increasing and negotiations stalled, the situation remains highly volatile, with significant risks for both regional stability and the global economy.