Hormuz tensions escalate: US launches new strikes on Iran over threats to commercial shipping | Today’s news
The United States on Sunday launched a new wave of airstrikes against Iran and stepped up military operations aimed at weakening Tehran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington and Tehran continued to issue conflicting claims over whether the vital waterway would remain open.
The latest strikes came just hours after Iran retaliated against earlier US attacks by launching missiles and drones at several Gulf countries that host US military forces, bringing already fragile truce talks close to collapse.
CENTCOM announces new strikes
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the latest operation began at 5 p.m. ET on the orders of President Donald Trump.
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The US has launched a series of airstrikes targeting around 140 Iranian military facilities to weaken Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran says the strait is closed due to the “illegal movement” of the US military in the region and has said no vessels will be allowed to pass until foreign interference ends.
Iran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting several Gulf countries that host US military installations, prompting missile warnings and minor property damage across the region.
CENTCOM says the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping and that Iran does not control the strait, saying maritime traffic continues normally.
Yes, any disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of global oil supplies, could significantly affect global energy markets and international trade.
“Today at 5:00 p.m. ET, U.S. Central Command forces launched additional strikes against Iran to continue to degrade its ability to attack civilian sailors and commercial shipping freely navigating the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.
“The Commander-in-Chief ordered the strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable.
Iran reports new strikes
Iranian state media reported more attacks later on Sunday.
According to IRNA, the projectiles hit military targets on Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz without causing casualties.
The attacks on Farur Island in Hormozgan province reportedly killed an employee of Iran’s Mobile Communications Company and wounded two colleagues.
The US military did not immediately comment on the reports.
The new offensive follows an Iranian attack on a Cypriot-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, which left the vessel on fire and one crew member missing.
Earlier on Sunday, CENTCOM said it had already hit approximately 140 Iranian military targets, including missile launchers, drone facilities, ammunition depots, communications infrastructure and other military facilities.
The US said the operation aims to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten international shipping through one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
Iran retaliates across the Gulf
Hours after previous US attacks, Iran launched missile and drone strikes targeting several countries that host US military installations.
Missile warnings were sounded across Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman.
Qatar said its air defense intercepted incoming Iranian projectiles, while falling debris injured three people, including a child.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense reported damage to three northern border posts and an offshore oil rig of the Kuwait Oil Company, where one worker was injured.
Jordan said three Iranian missiles landed inside the country and caused little damage to property.
Oman reported drone strikes near the Strait of Hormuz and summoned Iran’s ambassador, calling the attacks “irresponsible”.
The dispute over the Strait of Hormuz is intensifying
The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a focal point of confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Iran continues to insist that the strategic waterway has been closed following recent US military operations.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) previously announced that the strait would remain closed “until further notice”.
According to Iran, no vessels will be allowed to transit until the United States ends what Tehran describes as foreign interference in the region.
The IRGC also warned that any attempt to use the closure as justification for further military action would trigger attacks on other US-linked bases throughout the Middle East.
Iran’s Persian Gulf Straits Authority (PGSA) later reinforced this position.
“This is to inform all esteemed applicants. Due to recent illegal movements of United States military forces in the region, passage through the Strait of Hormuz is currently not possible.”
The authority added that requests for transit would be considered only after “restoration of stability and calm”.
The US rejects Iran’s claims
Washington has rejected Tehran’s claim that it controls maritime traffic through the strait.
CENTCOM said the waterway remains open to international shipping.
“The Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels wishing to legally pass through the international waterway.”
He added: “US forces are positioned and ready to ensure that freedom of navigation remains available despite Iran’s unwarranted aggression, harassment, threats and arbitrary statements.”
“Iran does not control the strait. Traffic is flowing.”
The container ship attack escalates the conflict
The latest military escalation was triggered after Iran reportedly attacked a Cypriot-flagged container ship that was passing near the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. military said the vessel sustained significant engine room damage after the hit.
The Omani Maritime Authority rescued 23 crew members, with one sailor still missing.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the missing crew member was an Indian national and said it was working with Omani authorities to locate him.
UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the ship was sailing close to the Omani coast, a route increasingly used by commercial vessels trying to avoid Iranian territorial waters.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed several ships ignored their navigational instructions and said one vessel was stopped after being hit by a warning shot.
Diplomacy hangs in the balance
The renewed fighting has cast serious doubt on the interim agreement between the US and Iran reached last month, which set a 60-day negotiating window aimed at ending the conflict.
Although President Trump has indicated that the ceasefire is effectively over, regional mediators are continuing efforts to revive diplomacy.
Qatari negotiators have traveled to Iran in an attempt to ease tensions and create conditions for a resumption of talks, while Oman, Pakistan and Egypt remain engaged in mediation efforts.
Read also | Iran rejects US claims of ‘traffic flowing’, insists Hormuz remains closed
