World · 2026-10-16 · Afternoon briefing

Iran: Strait of Hormuz reopens if US leaves region

A spokesman for Iran's army declared on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen if the U.S. leaves the Middle East. In a post on the social media platform X, the spokesman, Mohammad Akraminia, added a direct threat: "If it does not leave, we will expel it."

The statement follows a week of heightened military activity. A maritime monitor confirmed three strikes on vessels in the strategic waterway this week, warning of ongoing "indiscriminate attacks". On Thursday, Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen launched a strike on the presidential palace in Aden, causing multiple deaths and injuries among security staff. Separately, Saudi Arabia announced on Friday it had intercepted a ballistic missile, two cruise missiles, and three drones.

The economic toll of the long-running tensions is substantial. Iraq's foreign minister, Fuad Hussein, stated on Thursday that the conflict between the U.S. and Iran has cost his country approximately $60 billion.

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Read the sources

• Live Updates: Iran says Strait of Hormuz will reopen if U.S. "leaves the region"
• Strait of Hormuz tensions linger as Iran and US move further from a deal
• Iran says US response to its proposal to reopen Hormuz was 'insufficient'
• What’s in Iran’s seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz?
• US and Iran Discuss Phased Deal to Reopen Hormuz and End US Blockade, Sources Say

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