US-Iran strikes escalate conflict around Strait of Hormuz

Photo — Melika Hazrati / Pexels

According to multiple international outlets, the US military has carried out new strikes on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, including Iranian government tankers and IRGC-linked assets, as part of a broader campaign against Iran’s military infrastructure.[1][4][6][7][8][10][12] In response, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has launched ballistic missiles and drones at US bases in Jordan, Bahrain and other locations, claiming American casualties, while regional states report intercepting many of the incoming projectiles.[10][12] The confrontation follows at least six months of heightened tensions tied to an Iran war that has reshaped Middle East security calculations, driven up global energy prices, and contributed to sharp moves in bond and equity markets.[1][4][7][12][14][15] Diplomatically, Iran is urging US compliance with an interim deal to halt the conflict even as President Trump publicly threatens further, more powerful strikes if Tehran continues its attacks.[1][10][12] The crisis around the narrow Strait of Hormuz—through which a significant share of the world’s oil shipments passes—is now a focal point for concerns about shipping safety, fuel supply disruptions, and a broader regional war drawing in Gulf states and major powers.[4][12][14][15]

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Anadolu Agency, NBC News, Sky News, News9Live, The Standard (Hong Kong)