US and Iran trade new strikes in Strait of Hormuz

Photo — Muhammed Zahid Bulut / Pexels

US–Iran tensions have sharply escalated after the United States launched new strikes against what it described as Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) minelaying forces in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first direct military exchange between the two countries in several weeks.[6][14][15] According to reports, US forces destroyed Iranian launchers preparing to deploy sea‑mine rockets on a small island in the strait, prompting Iran to retaliate with ballistic missile attacks on two US‑operated airbases in Jordan.[15][10] The US military has reported casualties, with at least 18 killed and hundreds wounded, underscoring the severity of the confrontation and fueling concern that the long‑running economic and proxy standoff could tip into a broader regional war.[10][11] Analysts and global outlets note that this flare‑up directly threatens stability of global oil supply routes and energy prices, as roughly a fifth of the world’s traded oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz; the renewed hostilities have therefore become the top international story for governments and markets closely watching whether Washington and Tehran choose further escalation or seek urgent de‑escalation.[6][9][14]

Sources: Euronews, The Standard (Hong Kong), BBC Global News Podcast, 10 Things Global News, The Rest of the World Report, HKHanTimes