Trump orders new US strikes on Iran and freezes crypto assets

The United States, under President Donald Trump, launched a second night of heavy air and missile strikes targeting Iranian air‑defense, radar, surveillance and communication sites near the Strait of Hormuz. The attacks followed the downing of a US Apache helicopter and included a precision strike on the Palau‑flagged oil tanker MT Settebello, killing three Indian sailors. Iran retaliated with widespread drone and missile attacks on US bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain and announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels.

At the same time, the US Treasury Department sanctioned multiple Iran‑linked cryptocurrency wallets, freezing roughly $344 million and designating Iran’s largest exchange, Nobitex, and others as Specially Designated Nationals. The move aims to curb sanctions evasion and terror financing. The combined military pressure and financial crackdown have brought Iran nearer to a negotiated peace memorandum that would keep its nuclear program in check and reopen the strait.

The International Atomic Energy Agency also backed a US‑led resolution demanding Iran disclose its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium. The escalation has contributed to rising global energy prices and pushed US inflation to a three‑year high, adding political pressure ahead of upcoming elections.