Central Command. CENTCOM further reported that more than 60 small boats belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were hit to degrade Iran’s ability to attack international commerce.
Collapse of Peace Memorandum
The escalation follows a tenuous ceasefire and a memorandum of understanding signed on June 17, which aimed to end a war that began with U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. The June agreement included an end to fighting and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had held shut for months earlier this year.
Regional Escalation and Iranian Response
Iran responded to the U.S. strikes by targeting U.S. allies and military outposts. The United Arab Emirates also reported coming under missile fire. By Monday, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard stated it had targeted U.S. bases and outposts in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. In Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, missile alert sirens sounded on Monday morning.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense reported that an offshore drilling platform and border posts were hit, while the army noted its air defense systems were intercepting hostile attacks.
In Qatar, officials briefly issued an elevated security threat
alert before giving the all-clear. Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, wrote on X that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened only under Iranian arrangements, not through U.S. threats.
Impact on Shipping and Infrastructure
The conflict has centered on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global chokepoint. Iran announced the closure of the waterway on Saturday after disabling a commercial ship. CENTCOM reported that this specific attack resulted in one missing civilian crew member and significant engine room damage, forcing the vessel to abandon its journey. While Iran claimed the strait was closed, President Trump rejected the claim, asserting, “It’s open.”
Iranian state media reported U.S. strikes primarily along the southern coast, from the Gulf of Oman to the Strait of Hormuz.
- A maritime traffic control tower in Chabahar.
- An airport in the southeastern city of Iranshahr, where a firefighter was reported killed.
Economic and Diplomatic Stakes
The renewed hostilities have impacted global markets. On Wednesday, Brent crude futures rose approximately one per cent to $78.80 US a barrel. Although this is below the late-April peak of more than $120 US a barrel, officials noted that oil prices rose dramatically during previous U.S.-Iran conflicts, contributing to global inflation. To increase pressure on Tehran, the U.S. revoked a sanctions waiver on Iranian oil on Tuesday.
The U.S. has continued its military response into the week. Following the Tuesday strikes, CENTCOM announced a third round of strikes hitting approximately 140 military targets. A U.S. official told Reuters that strikes on Wednesday would be greater in number than those carried out on Tuesday as retribution for the bombing of ships.
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