The United States has launched a series of airstrikes against Iran, including rare daytime attacks targeting coastal defenses and cruise missile storage and launch sites on Greater Tunb Island. These strikes, which occurred over five consecutive days, followed President Donald Trump's decision to reimpose a naval blockade of all Iranian ports. As part of the operation, the U.S. military also disabled an unladen oil tanker attempting to reach Kharg Island.
Tehran responded by targeting U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. In addition to these strikes, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to shut down further energy export corridors, including the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea, to disrupt routes benefiting the U.S. and its allies. Iranian officials reported that American strikes hit an army barracks, resulting in at least seven deaths and more than 260 injuries.
The escalation has derailed an interim peace deal and caused oil prices to rise, sparking fears of a wider regional war. President Trump has warned that the U.S. will intensify the bombardment and may target Iranian power plants and bridges next week unless Tehran resumes negotiations and opens the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, reports suggest Iran may utilize Houthi allies in Yemen to further restrict the Red Sea gateway.