[Source/Observer Network, Chen Sijia] On June 13th, Israel launched a large-scale air strike on Iran, causing damage to multiple Iranian military facilities and the deaths of several senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. According to a report by Reuters on June 14th, a member of Iran's Parliament Security Committee, Esmail Kosari, stated that Iran is seriously considering whether to block the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea and is an important maritime channel for oil transportation in the Gulf region, accounting for one-fifth of global oil supply.

A source from Iran's security circles also told the Fars News Agency: "If Iran's energy infrastructure is attacked, we will immediately respond by directly striking Israel's energy and economic centers."

Strait of Hormuz

Al Jazeera pointed out that although Iran has not taken any action yet, the tension has already caused market concerns over the potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, leading to rising oil prices. Reuters reported that after the attacks by Israel and Iran, international oil prices rose by 7% on June 13th, as investors worried that the conflict might disrupt oil exports from the Middle East.

Geopolitical analyst Taufiq Rahim told Al Jazeera: "Israel has not yet severely attacked Iran's oil infrastructure. If this situation changes, it will obviously have a more intense impact."

America's CNBC reported that this is not the first time Iran has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz. After the United States unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and restarted sanctions on Iran, Iran had threatened to block the strait. However, Iran did not take action, and the last actual closure of the strait dates back to the Iran-Iraq War during the Tanker War in 1984.

Some analysts believe that blocking the Strait of Hormuz is extremely difficult, despite many ships passing through Iranian waters; they can also pass through the waters along the southern shore from the UAE and Oman. Vivek Dhar, head of mining and energy commodities research at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, believes: "Blocking the strait is Iran's 'last resort' and may depend on Iran's military engagement with the United States."

At dawn on June 13th, Israel launched a large-scale air strike on multiple locations in Iran, targeting dozens of sites related to Iran's nuclear program and other military facilities, resulting in the deaths of several senior military commanders and nuclear scientists in Iran. In response, Iran launched missile and drone strikes against Israel on the evening of June 13th.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei issued a statement on June 13th, stating that Iran's armed forces would take armed actions to "completely destroy the Israeli regime." Israeli Defense Minister Gantz threatened on June 14th that if Iran continues to fire missiles at Israel, "Tehran will be reduced to ashes."

In response to the possibility of Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press conference on June 13th that hypothetical questions would not be commented on. The escalation of regional tensions does not benefit any party. We urge all parties involved to do more to promote regional peace and stability and avoid further escalation of tensions. China is willing to continue playing a constructive role in this regard.

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Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7515825604227367435/

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