Iran to announce new Hormuz shipping route amid tensions with US

Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani, warned on Tuesday that Tehran could mount “heavier” retaliatory measures if further attacks are directed at Iranian interests, following a series of U.S. strikes that targeted Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. The U.S. operation, carried out by naval forces earlier this month, was described by the Pentagon as a response to alleged Iranian involvement in attacks on commercial shipping, and resulted in damage to two tankers carrying crude from Iran to international markets. Iranian officials have condemned the strikes as violations of international law and have called for a proportional response to protect national sovereignty and commercial assets.

Bagheri’s statement came amid heightened diplomatic activity, with Iran’s foreign ministry seeking to rally regional allies and the United Nations for support while also signaling a willingness to engage in dialogue to de‑escalate tensions. U.S. officials, however, have reiterated that any further aggression against Iranian vessels will be met with decisive action, emphasizing the need to secure maritime routes and deter what they describe as state‑sponsored threats. The exchange underscores the fragile security environment in the Persian Gulf, where both sides appear poised to test the limits of diplomatic and military thresholds in the coming weeks.