(STRAIT OF HORMUZ) – The United States military struck dozens of Iranian targets overnight, marking the fourth round of attacks in a week aimed at degrading Tehran’s ability to target commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command said its forces hit air-defence systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone capabilities, and small boats. The operation utilised aircraft, ships, drones, and for the first time, one-way attack sea drones.
The strikes come after Iranian forces hit commercial vessels, claiming the ships were using unapproved routes. Iran subsequently announced the strategic waterway is closed until further notice. The US military firmly rejected this assertion.
“The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global trade,” the US military stated. “Iran does not control it.”
Washington maintains it has secured a shipping route along the coast of Oman, providing air cover to ensure two-way traffic remains possible. Keeping oil prices down ahead of midterm elections in November is a key preoccupation for the Trump administration, which is determined to keep the strait open.
In retaliation, Iran said it targeted US bases in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait, along with radar systems in Oman. Iranian state media reported one person was killed and four injured in the US strikes on southern and western parts of the country, including two islands.
Iranian officials have reportedly stated that control of the Strait of Hormuz is “more important than atomic weapons,” signalling a hardened stance. Tehran has also accused the Americans of disrupting its arrangements for shipping and has proposed a permit and fee system for passage.
BBC Analysts suggest that while neither side wants a return to full-scale war, the current dynamic represents a controlled escalation driven by the political and economic needs of both parties.
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