The United States launched a fresh wave of military strikes on Iran after Iranian forces allegedly targeted commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, marking a sharp escalation in the conflict and further straining the fragile ceasefire between the two countries. The latest exchange of attacks has intensified fears of a wider regional conflict and renewed concerns over global energy supplies.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation began at 5 p.m. ET and was aimed at degrading Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the strategic waterway.
"At 5 p.m. ET today, US Central Command forces began launching more strikes against Iran to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM said, adding that the strikes were carried out under the direction of the US President.
The latest operation marked the third wave of American strikes on Iranian military targets within 24 hours. US officials said the attacks focused on missile sites, coastal defence systems, radar installations and military positions near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route.
Around the same time, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly opened fire on commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz. US forces said they intercepted an Iranian cruise missile and a one-way attack drone during the operation. Iran also reported explosions in Jask, Qeshm, Bandar Abbas and Sirik in Hormozgan province, though there were no immediate reports of civilian casualties.
The renewed fighting comes after earlier US strikes that targeted nearly 140 Iranian military sites, including missile launchers, air-defence systems and IRGC naval assets. US officials said more than 300 Iranian military targets have been hit over the past three days.
Iran responded by launching attacks against US-linked military facilities across the Gulf. The IRGC claimed responsibility for strikes on American bases in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait, while also alleging it targeted US High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers in Kuwait. CENTCOM, however, said there were no reports of US military casualties.
Kuwaiti authorities said several northern border posts suffered material damage, while a drone strike on an offshore Kuwait Oil Company drilling platform injured one worker.
Amid the escalating violence, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the attacks on commercial shipping, US strikes on Iran and Iranian attacks on neighbouring countries. Warning that renewed hostilities could have "catastrophic consequences" for regional and global security, he urged both Washington and Tehran to immediately return to negotiations.
