In brief
In a new flare-up, Iranian Revolutionary Guards warned the world that the Strait of Hormuz would stay shut until U.S. forces cease their "acts of aggression," and threatened to close other oil and gas export routes. U.S. Central Command confirmed a fresh wave of drone, air and naval strikes against Iranian coastal defenses and missile sites. President Donald Trump vowed to target bridges and power plants if talks fail, while the U.S. has reinstated a blockade on Iranian ports that halted tanker traffic and sent oil prices soaring. Iranian forces reported attacks on U.S. targets in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, and U.S. allies intercepted several drones and missiles. The escalating stand‑off underscores the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz to global commerce.
Iran has warned it will close more trade routes in the region following a new wave of U.S. strikes against its military targets. The Iran‑Iraq revolutionary guard stated that the Strait of Hormuz would remain shut until the United States ends its “acts of aggression” and threatened to curtail other oil and gas export channels that serve international interests.
U.S. Central Command confirmed on Wednesday that it carried out drone, air and navy strikes on Iranian coastal defenses, cruise‑missile storage and launch sites on Greater Tunb Island during a 90‑minute operation that extended overnight. These actions were described as degrading Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait.
The escalation came after President Donald Trump pledged to strike Iranian bridges and power plants if the country fails to return to talks, adding that he would impose “massive” trade and investment deals with Gulf states to replace the 20% toll announced for the Strait.
The U.S. reinstated a blockade on Iranian ports on Tuesday evening, preventing vessels from entering or leaving coastal areas. The earlier suspension of the blockade—part of a memorandum of understanding last month—was set to end the conflict, but the strait dispute has become a focal point of disagreement.
In response to the renewed blockade, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that American powers should anticipate the closure of other oil and gas export routes. Meanwhile, Iranian forces reported additional attacks on U.S. targets in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, with U.S. allies claiming to intercept several drones and missiles launched from Iran.
The heightened tensions have sent global oil prices surging, as tanker traffic through the critical shipping route has largely stalled. The events underline the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz to the world economy, and the risks that military action in the region poses to global trade and energy security.
