00:23Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,
00:26or IRGC, has issued a strong message to the world over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
00:34In a statement broadcast by Iranian state media,
00:38the IRGC declared that only countries willing to expel American and Israeli ambassadors
00:45will be granted safe and unrestricted passage through the strategic waterway.
00:51According to the IRGC, any Arab or European nation that cuts diplomatic ties with Washington and Tel Aviv
01:00will receive what it called complete freedom and authority to pass through the Strait.
01:06The message signals Tehran's readiness to use the Strait of Hormuz as powerful leverage
01:13in the ongoing confrontation with the United States and Israel.
01:18The narrow waterway is one of the most critical oil choke points in the world.
01:24Nearly 20 percent of global oil shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz every day.
01:30By controlling access to the route, Iran has positioned itself at the center of global energy security.
01:37Iranian officials say the condition is simple – distance from Washington and Tel Aviv
01:44or risk losing access to one of the world's most important shipping corridors.
01:50The announcement comes as the war in the region intensifies
01:54and shipping through the Strait faces major disruptions.
01:58Global oil prices have already surged past $100 per barrel amid fears that supplies from the Persian Gulf could be
02:08severely restricted.
02:09Tehran has warned that if attacks against Iran continue, it will not allow oil exports from the region to flow
02:17freely.
02:18At the same time, the United States has issued its own warnings.
02:23U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington would respond with overwhelming force if Iran attempts to block global oil shipments.
02:33Speaking at a press conference in Florida, Trump said the United States would not allow Iran to hold the world's
02:41energy supply hostage.
02:43He warned that if Tehran moves to stop oil from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the response from the
02:49United States would be much harder.
02:52We continue Operation Epic Fury.
02:55We're also focused on keeping energy and oil flowing to the world.
03:00And I will not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe's oil
03:06supply.
03:07And if Iran does anything to do that, they'll get hit at a much, much harder level.
03:12I will take out those targets that were easy and that I mentioned just before.
03:17We'll take them out so quickly, they'll never be able to recover, ever.
03:20However, rising tensions in the Gulf have already shaken global energy markets.
03:27Oil traders are watching the Strait of Hormuz closely, knowing that even a partial disruption could trigger a worldwide energy
03:36shock.
03:36For now, Iran's message to the international community is clear.
03:41Countries that distance themselves from the United States and Israel will be allowed to pass safely through Hormuz.
03:49Those that do not may find one of the world's most vital energy routes increasingly uncertain.
03:55We'll see you next time.
04:01We'll see you then.
04:05We'll see you next time.50.
04:09Let's
04:10go. Court.
04:10We'll
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