Iran threatens ‘fully offensive’ shift if US fails to ease blockade

A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday that Tehran has decided to shift its strategy in the conflict with the United States from a defensive posture to a “fully offensive” one. The official stated that Iran has given Washington a few weeks to fully implement a memorandum of understanding between the two sides. This warning marks an escalation in rhetoric as the U.S. naval blockade continues to squeeze Iran’s economy, with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz having slowed to a fraction of pre-war levels. The official noted that Tehran no longer considers it realistic to rely on pressure or regional mediation for lasting peace. If diplomacy fails, “all Iranian entities” will be prepared to escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and across the region. Israeli officials have reported detecting signs that Iran’s leadership is preparing for a more offensive phase, potentially targeting energy infrastructure and shipping routes. Meanwhile, ship-tracking data indicates that commodity vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has collapsed, while U.S. officials maintain that they will continue their naval operations in the region.