Iran warned it would launch "long and painful strikes" against U.S. positions across the Gulf if Washington resumes attacks [1].

These threats signal a potential escalation in regional tensions that could disrupt global energy supplies and jeopardize the security of U.S. military assets in the Middle East.

A senior Revolutionary Guards official said the U.S. must understand that any further attacks will be met with long, painful strikes across the Gulf [3]. The warnings were issued on April 30, 2024 [1]. This posture aims to deter further aggression while asserting Iranian influence over strategic waterways.

Beyond direct military strikes, the Iranian government signaled a willingness to disrupt maritime traffic. A spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry said Iran will reassert its control over the Strait of Hormuz in the event of renewed U.S. aggression [1]. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints, a region where any instability typically triggers volatility in global crude prices.

Reports on the nature of the Iranian response vary slightly. While some sources emphasize the promise of "long and painful strikes" [3], other reports suggest Iran could resort to "new tactics" if the U.S. resumes attacks [4]. Despite these varying descriptions, the core message remains a warning of severe retaliation for any renewed military action.

The Revolutionary Guards official said the response would target U.S. positions throughout the region [2]. By linking military retaliation to the control of the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran is leveraging both kinetic military threats and economic pressure to discourage U.S. intervention.

“"We will respond with long and painful strikes on U.S. positions if Washington resumes attacks."”

The threats highlight Iran's strategy of using the Strait of Hormuz as a geopolitical lever. By threatening both military installations and the primary artery for global oil shipments, Tehran is attempting to create a high-cost scenario for U.S. policymakers, effectively using the threat of global economic instability to deter direct military engagement.