What happened
A top Iranian national security official has deemed the US response to Tehran's demands over the Strait of Hormuz as inadequate. The official, Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei, has threatened to target American-linked undersea communications cables, data centers, and artificial intelligence facilities in the region if war resumes.
Rezaei's warning came as Tehran seeks concessions from the US, including the lifting of a naval blockade and restrictions on Iranian oil sales. The Iranian official claimed that Washington has accepted some of Tehran's demands, but did not specify which ones.
The US has maintained a naval blockade in the region, which has sharply curtailed Iranian oil exports. The blockade has also led to the disabling of several vessels that attempted to breach it. Despite this, Rezaei insisted that Tehran would retain authority over the Strait of Hormuz and impose charges related to shipping security, insurance, and environmental protection.
The situation remains tense, with the US leaving open the possibility of a negotiated settlement while maintaining its blockade and tightening economic pressure on Iran. The US has also deployed additional military assets to the region, amid reports of possible operations against Iran.
