Iran Vows ‘Apocalyptic War’ If U.S. Strikes Again, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• Iran warned of an "apocalyptic war" and repercussions beyond its borders if the U.S. and Israel launch new strikes.
• Brig. Gen. Hossein Mohebbi of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated Iran would achieve "absolute victory" in such a conflict.
• Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi, Chief of the General Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, declared U.S. naval forces would not be allowed into the Persian Gulf.
• The threats followed reports in U.S. and Israeli media about plans to resume strikes against Iran.
• Brent crude prices rose to $117 a barrel amidst the escalating tensions.

Detailed Insights:

• The conflict began on February 28, 2026, initiated by then-U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
• Iran previously retaliated in the first two phases of the war by striking U.S. bases and energy facilities in Gulf kingdoms.
• The U.S. has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, impacting Iran's oil exports, its primary revenue source.
• Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil transit.
• Iranian officials, including Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary General of Iran’s Security Council, threatened to target undersea fiber optic cables in the Gulf.
• At least seven important undersea data cables, crucial for internet traffic, run through or near the Strait of Hormuz.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Strait of Hormuz: A narrow, strategically important waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, vital for global oil shipments.
• Blockade: An act of sealing off a place to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving, often used as a military tactic.
• Geopolitics: The study of the effects of geography on international politics and international relations.