'More Powerful Than Any Nuke': US Intel Report Warns Iran Can Shut Strait Of Hormuz At Will

Published 17 June 2026 · world

'More Powerful Than Any Nuke': US Intel Report Warns Iran Can Shut Strait Of Hormuz At Will Published By, Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 10:29

'More Powerful Than Any Nuke': US Intel Report Warns Iran Can Shut Strait Of Hormuz At Will Published By, Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 10:29 IST The U.S. and Iran on Sunday agreed to strike a deal to end the war in West Asia, with a formal peace agreement to be signed this Friday in Geneva, Switzerland Iran can now shut the Strait of Hormuz at will, a U.S. intel assessment said | File photo: AFP Over three months into the West Asia conflict and the subsequent ceasefire with the United States, Iran has acquired a weapon “more powerful than any nuke". Iran has the power to shut the critical Strait of Hormuz at will, U.S. intelligence agencies’ assessment warned on Wednesday, adding that Tehran’s ability to disturb the global economy can rise again, regardless of the anticipated peace truce with Washington, CNN reported.

The U.S. and Iran on Sunday agreed to strike a deal to end the war in West Asia, with a formal peace agreement to be signed this Friday in Geneva, Switzerland. Having learned how to leverage the strikes on Gulf countries’ energy infrastructure, Iran has emerged as the US’s Achilles heel, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. “We have now handed Iran de facto control over the strait – a weapon more powerful than any nuke," a source told the outlet. US-Iran War LIVE Updates Iran Struck Major U.S. Bases In Gulf In retaliation for the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes –– which began February 28 amid stalled talks over Iran’s nuclear programme –– Tehran struck major energy facilities linked to Washington across the Gulf. Tehran launched a barrage of missiles targeting Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, halting a large part of their energy production capacities.

Qatar’s Ras Laffan –– the world’s largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) production comple – suffered a major damage by an Iranian strike, sending shockwaves through the global energy market. Iran also blocked the vital Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for nearly one-fifth of the global oil and gas trade, disrupting energy supplies worldwide. Will Hormuz Reopen? On Sunday, President Donald Trump expressed optimism that the finalisation of the peace truce would pave the way for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He said the key waterway was “going to be open toll-free, and it’s toll-free beyond the 60 days". “When it opens permanently, it’ll be toll-free", Trump said. The U.S. and Iran are expected to sign a deal that provides a 60-day extension to the ceasefire and opens the door to further negotiations. The reopening of the key waterway emerged as one of the major conflicting points between the U.S. and Iran.