Iran is prepared to adopt a “fully offensive” military posture in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider region if diplomatic efforts with the United States fail, a senior Iranian official has said, raising fears of another escalation in the months-long conflict.
The warning comes as negotiations toward a permanent peace agreement have stalled and Washington has ruled out extending an interim agreement reached with Tehran in June. The conflict began after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, and efforts to restore normal oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz have made little progress.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iranian forces were preparing for a possible escalation and could launch a “timely and precise” military operation aimed at breaking the U.S. naval blockade if diplomacy fails.
Monday had been set as the deadline for Iran and the United States to reach a final agreement under a memorandum of understanding signed on June 17. The deal established a 60-day period for negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, U.S. sanctions and a broader end to hostilities.
Although the agreement called for an immediate and permanent end to military operations, it quickly began to unravel over disagreements about control of the Strait of Hormuz. The strategically important waterway, shared by Iran and Oman, carried roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies before the war.
Iran has argued that the June agreement gave Tehran the right to manage the strait, an interpretation rejected by Washington. Fighting subsequently resumed, with Iran targeting vessels it said were attempting to travel through Hormuz using unauthorized routes. U.S. President Donald Trump declared in July that the interim agreement was effectively over.
Asked Monday whether Washington would seek an extension of the June agreement, Trump said it would not.
The Iranian official said Tehran expects the United States to implement the agreement’s provisions within a matter of weeks, describing that as a prerequisite for any further negotiations. Mediators are expected to communicate Iran’s position and deadline to Washington and other regional governments.
Iran has also been negotiating separately with neighbouring Oman over the management of the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran says the two sides are close to an agreement, although negotiations have progressed slowly.
Trump, meanwhile, has sharply warned Oman against obstructing a broader agreement involving Iran, threatening U.S. military action if Muscat interferes.
The conflict has killed thousands of people, primarily in Iran and Lebanon, since fighting began in late February. Iran has also carried out attacks against U.S. military bases and infrastructure across the region, including targets in Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Trump has warned Americans that elevated fuel prices could persist because of the conflict. He has also reiterated that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains one of his administration’s central objectives.
The war and uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have caused significant volatility in global energy markets. Brent crude surged to a peak of about US$126 per barrel following the outbreak of hostilities, approximately 75 per cent above its pre-war level. Prices later declined, with Brent trading around US$89 per barrel on Monday.
Concerns about a broader regional conflict have also intensified following renewed attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed Monday that the group had targeted a Saudi military vessel and four escort ships with missiles in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed the reported attack.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, is another critical international shipping route. Continued instability there, combined with tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, has heightened concerns about further disruptions to global energy supplies and maritime trade.
