The U.S. should expect a tough response to its latest sanctions, a former commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said, warning that Iran has the capability to shut down the Strait of Hormuz and halt all oil shipments.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday threatened Iran with "an economic D-Day," announcing a wave of new sanctions aimed at further isolating the country.
In response, Hossein Kanani Moghaddam, a military analyst and former IRGC commander, outlined Iran's possible countermeasures.
"In my view, there will be three possible responses ahead. First, Iran could respond militarily to US escorts and American vessels in the region that are encircling our ships. Second, there is the possibility of a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz -- meaning that no oil or gas would pass through the region. Third, countries allied with the United States, or other countries whose economies depend on the region, could exert pressure to make the United States halt these actions, back down, and implement Iran's proposals," he said.
"These sanctions will not go unanswered. We have various tools and deterrent capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz to close it and prevent even a single drop of oil from leaving. If we cannot export oil, no one else will be able to export it either. They know that we have this capability. This would affect the regional and global economy. The energy crisis would worsen. Oil that costs around five dollars per gallon in the United States could rise to seven or eight dollars," he said.
US sanctions may lead to complete closure of Strait of Hormuz: former IRGC commander
