Iran Warns to Stop Trade with Gulf Countries if USA Did Not Lift Blockade in Hormuz

New Delhi – While the warships of the US Navy have been blocking the Strait of Hormuz, Iran is making continuous efforts to lift the blockade. As part of these efforts, the Iranian military has threatened to stop trade with the Gulf countries if the US did not lift the blockade in Hormuz. This is likely to have a major impact on the trade of other countries operating in the Gulf countries.

US economic blockade of Iran

US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant has stated that the economic blockade of Iran is as dangerous as the bombings on Iran. Mr Besant has also warned of imposing a second round of economic sanctions on Iranian financial institutions that have businesses and other transactions in the Gulf countries. Therefore, the US is likely to impose more economic sanctions on Iran to force a ceasefire.

The concession given by the US to India for buying oil from Russia has ended

The US has made it clear that it will not renew the concessions given to buy some oil from Russia and Iran. Therefore, buying oil from these countries now may face US sanctions. India was a major beneficiary of the concessions given under the sanctions. After the Strait of Hormuz was closed due to war, India was allowed to buy oil from Russia through these concessions.

Iran gets help from Chinese-made satellite to target US bases

Iran has used a Chinese-made satellite acquired last year to monitor the movements of US military bases in the Gulf. The satellite was developed and launched by China’s ‘Earth Eye’ Company, which was later purchased by the Aerospace Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The satellite is handed over to its customers by China only after it is successfully launched and it reaches orbit. The satellite, which acted as a spy, captured images of Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on 13, 14 and 15 March 2026. On 14.03.2026, US President Donald Trump acknowledged the damage to US aircrafts stationed there. In addition, the satellite also tracked movements at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and Erbil Airport in Iraq. The satellite’s surveillance was not limited to military bases, but it also extended to the US-related facilities such as Camp Buehring and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, and Duqm International Airport in Oman. It also monitored civilian infrastructure such as the Khor Fakkan Container Port in the United Arab Emirates, the Diyafah Energy and Water Treatment Plant, and Bahrain’s Alba plant, which is one of the world’s largest aluminium plants. China’s Foreign Ministry has, however, repeatedly refuted allegations of any military cooperation extended to Iran.

Satellite launching impossible without Chinese Government’s permission

A former Western Intelligence official commented that it is impossible for a Chinese entity to launch a satellite without approval from the Government administration; therefore, it is clear that the Chinese Government is helping Iran by providing highly sensitive information while concealing its own involvement. The use of a Chinese satellite has created an atmosphere of concern throughout the Gulf, at a time when Iran has repeatedly carried out missile and drone attacks on its neighbouring countries. The matter has become even more sensitive since China is a major trading partner in the region and the largest buyer of oil.