Iran Threatens "Long and Painful Strikes" on U.S. Positions as Strait of Hormuz Stays Shut Two Months Into War

Two months into the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. A ceasefire has been in place since April 8, but Iran continues blocking the strait in response to a U.S. naval blockade on its oil exports. Benchmark oil briefly surged past US$126 a barrel before retreating to around US$114. The UAE has banned its citizens from traveling to Iran, Lebanon, and Iraq amid rising regional tensions. Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned that any new U.S. attack, even a limited one, would trigger "long and painful strikes" on American positions in the region. Trump was briefed Thursday on fresh military strike options, including a ground operation to reopen the strait. The U.S. also invited partner nations to join a new coalition called the Maritime Freedom Construct to restore shipping access once hostilities end.