U.S.-Iran Tensions Escalate as Trump Warns of Infrastructure Strikes Following Naval Seizure

Tensions between the United States and Iran have reached a critical point following the U.S. Navy's seizure of the Iranian vessel Touska in the Gulf of Oman. President Donald Trump has accused Tehran of a 'total violation' of a fragile ceasefire, warning of significant U.S. strikes on Iranian critical infrastructure if new terms are not accepted. Iran has responded by labeling the U.S. actions as 'armed piracy' and claiming to have launched retaliatory drone attacks against U.S. assets in the region. The maritime standoff in the Strait of Hormuz has triggered significant global economic concerns, causing oil prices to surge. India has filed formal diplomatic protests after its flagged vessels were turned back following firing incidents, highlighting the growing risk to neutral commercial shipping. Meanwhile, internal Iranian leadership appears divided, with conflicting statements from Mojtaba Khamenei and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi regarding whether the Strait should remain closed to international traffic. On the domestic front, the Iranian regime faces rising internal pressure. On April 16, PMOI Resistance Units reportedly carried out 15 coordinated attacks against IRGC Basij bases and repression centers in cities including Tehran and Chabahar. These attacks were described as a direct response to recent political executions by the regime, further complicating Tehran's position as it balances external military pressure with internal instability.