Iran declares Strait of Hormuz closed as fresh US strikes deepen Gulf conflict

Iran declares Strait of Hormuz closed as fresh US strikes deepen Gulf conflict

The United States has launched a fresh wave of military strikes against Iran, targeting more than 140 military sites after Tehran was accused of attacking a commercial container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, significantly escalating tensions across the Middle East and raising fears of wider regional conflict.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes were aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities and preventing further attacks on international shipping. US officials said the latest operation followed an alleged Iranian attack on a Cyprus-flagged container vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which reportedly left one crew member missing and caused extensive damage to the ship.

Iran rejected Washington’s justification and announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the strategic waterway would remain closed until what it described as the end of US military interference in the region. Despite Tehran’s declaration, CENTCOM maintained that commercial vessels continued to transit the strait under heightened security, while international maritime agencies advised shipping companies to exercise extreme caution.

The renewed confrontation comes just days after US President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire between the United States and Iran effectively over, accusing Tehran of violating the agreement through renewed attacks on commercial shipping and US interests.

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In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for coordinated missile and drone strikes on US military assets and allied facilities across the Gulf. The group said it targeted command-and-control centres in Jordan, a US radar installation in Kuwait, aircraft carrier support facilities in Oman, military infrastructure in Qatar and other strategic locations. Iranian officials also claimed another commercial vessel was disabled in the Strait of Hormuz.

The conflict has triggered heightened security measures across the Gulf. The United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems intercepted Iranian missiles and drones, while Bahrain activated air raid sirens after detecting incoming threats. Explosions were also reported in Doha, prompting authorities to reinforce security around key infrastructure.

The latest escalation has intensified concerns over global energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports pass, remains one of the most strategically important maritime routes. Although shipping has not completely stopped, insurance premiums for vessels operating in the Gulf have surged, several shipping companies have reviewed their routes, and oil prices have climbed sharply amid fears of prolonged disruption.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to ease tensions continue. Iranian and Omani officials have reportedly held talks in Muscat aimed at maintaining safe maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, with further negotiations expected as regional mediators seek to prevent the conflict from spreading further.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi accused the United States of violating the ceasefire agreement, insisting that any truce could only survive through “mutual compliance.” Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, also warned that “the era of one-sided deals is over,” urging Washington to honour its commitments or face further consequences.

In a separate development, a statement attributed to Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed retaliation for the killing of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the early stages of the conflict. The statement has further fuelled concerns that the crisis could evolve into a prolonged confrontation.

International leaders have renewed calls for restraint, warning that continued attacks on commercial shipping and military installations could destabilise the Middle East, disrupt global trade and worsen economic uncertainty.

Security analysts caution that unless diplomatic efforts succeed, the conflict could expand beyond the Gulf, drawing in additional regional actors and posing significant risks to global energy supplies, international commerce and geopolitical stability.

Iran declares Strait of Hormuz closed as fresh US strikes deepen Gulf conflict