Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Gulf Tensions

Tehran announced Sunday it has closed the Strait of Hormuz following missile and drone attacks on U.S. military bases in neighboring Gulf states. This move escalates tensions after U.S. strikes on Iranian coastal areas, which the U.S. described as retaliation for the Revolutionary Guard's attack on a commercial vessel transiting the strait.

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On July 12, Insha Allah the President will be present to commemorate National Cooperative Day at GBK

Reports from Agence France-Presse indicated sirens and explosions were heard in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, marking the latest escalation that could undermine a memorandum of understanding signed between Tehran and Washington in mid-June aimed at ending the Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, Pakistan, which has mediated between the two nations, called for "de-escalation" and "restraint" from the parties involved.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar conveyed this message in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry stated that both sides exchanged views on the "rapidly developing regional situation." Dar emphasized that "dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to resolving disputes and achieving lasting peace and stability in the region."

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dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to resolving disputes and achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.

The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed its forces conducted strikes against Iran early Sunday. This action followed the Revolutionary Guard's targeting of a commercial vessel flying a Cypriot flag, which Iran claimed was taking an "unapproved route" through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media reported explosions in several cities and on Qeshm Island, as well as in Khuzestan province bordering Iraq, though no casualties have been reported.

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In response, the United States is imposing a heavy cost by continuing to undermine Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and freely transiting commercial vessels through the Strait.

In response to the U.S. strikes, the Revolutionary Guard announced it targeted military bases used by the United States in Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar using ballistic missiles and drones. U.S. Central Command stated, "In response, the United States is imposing a heavy cost by continuing to undermine Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and freely transiting commercial vessels through the Strait." U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commented that Iran "made a bad choice" by firing on the vessel and is "now paying the price."

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and has now paid the price.