Iran‑US military escalation tightens grip on the Strait of Hormuz
The United States launched a new wave of air strikes on Iran, hitting dozens of targets such as air‑defence systems, radars, missile sites, drone facilities and small boats. Centcom said the attacks were aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to threaten civilian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard responded with missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases and facilities across the Gulf, including sites in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan and Oman. Iranian state media reported explosions near Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island and other coastal locations.
Both sides dispute the status of the waterway: Tehran announced the Strait of Hormuz closed to all traffic, while U.S. forces claim it remains open and that commercial vessels are transiting safely. President Donald Trump declared the strait “open” and said the U.S. had hit Iranian targets “hard”.
The confrontation drove oil prices up sharply – Brent crude rose about 4 % to around $79 per barrel and U.S. WTI climbed roughly 3.5 % to $74 per barrel – reigniting concerns about global inflation and energy security. Reports indicated at least one civilian death and several injuries in Gulf‑region attacks.
The escalation follows a fragile cease‑fire memorandum signed a month earlier, now appearing to collapse as both nations continue reciprocal strikes.