Vance warns Iran of repeated strikes if Strait of Hormuz deal collapses

WASHINGTON, United States — U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that Iran would face a repeat of "what happened last night" if it attempted to close the Strait of Hormuz, adding that strikes would continue until the waterway reopened and attacks on shipping ended. Speaking in a televised statement, Vance said President Donald Trump had made clear to Iran that the strait must remain open and that oil and gas flows must continue, calling the chokepoint critical to a significant share of global energy supply. Vance said a deal had been reached between Washington and Tehran, and that Iran's military capability had been largely destroyed. He added that elements inside Iran were seeking to reshape relations with the United States. The agreement, he said, rests on mutual obligations: sanctions would be lifted if the blockade and attacks on vessels cease, and the response would otherwise be stronger than before. Earlier in the day, Trump accused Iran of violating the deal and announced that a large-scale new strike would be carried out overnight, declaring that the memorandum of understanding with Tehran was no longer valid. A source who spoke to Iran's Press TV said in response that the Strait of Hormuz would be fully closed to maritime traffic and enemy targets would be struck if a new attack proceeded.