What are Iran's options to escalate further in face of US economic threats? - explainer

US threats to impose the toughest sanctions in history on Iran after nearly six months of war raise the prospect of new escalation in the Gulf. Iran has already stopped most traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Options include further attacks on shipping, targeting Gulf energy infrastructure, and cyberattacks on Western countries.

US threats to impose the toughest sanctions in history on Iran after nearly six months of war have raised the prospect of a new round of escalation in the Gulf. Iran has already stopped most traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that once carried around a fifth of global energy. Former Revolutionary Guards chief Mohsen Rezaei has threatened to shut down all oil exports from the Persian Gulf if the economic war continues. On Sunday, Iran blacklisted 45 tankers it says failed to comply with rules it wants to impose on Hormuz shipping. Iran's Houthi allies have restricted Red Sea shipping, and Chinese shipping companies are now rerouting away from the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Iran has threatened to retaliate against any neighbors who take part in US efforts to strangle its economy with earthquake force. It has targeted Gulf states and Jordan repeatedly during the war, focusing on US bases and energy infrastructure. On Monday, Britain said Iran-linked hackers shut down a small electricity station, and US officials said Tehran was likely behind cyberattacks on water plants in Minnesota. Western security services have also accused Iran of recruiting local people to stage attacks in the West.