U.S. Launches New Wave of Strikes Against Iran Amid Renewed Clashes in Strait of Hormuz

The United States military announced Sunday it had launched a new wave of strikes against Iran, following renewed fighting in the Strait of Hormuz that has put allies in the Persian Gulf region in the crosshairs. The latest U.S. military action began at 9 p.m. GMT Sunday, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) via platform X. Previously, it had announced approximately 140 strikes the previous night. This resurgence in fighting marks the latest development to jeopardize a temporary agreement between Washington and Tehran intended to end a conflict that has sent shockwaves through the global economy since its inception on February 28. Oil prices, which had previously fallen following the announcement of the deal, climbed back up by more than 3.5 percent as trading opened in Tokyo on Monday. The U.S. benchmark crude oil, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), surged past $74 per barrel. Iran reported attacks on two southern islands on Sunday afternoon, while Kuwait, repeatedly targeted by Tehran's attacks on U.S. facilities, stated that several border posts and an offshore oil platform were also hit. The new fighting occurred after Iran attacked a merchant ship in the Strait of Hormuz earlier Sunday, forcing its crew to abandon ship after it caught fire. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated after the incident that the Strait of Hormuz would be closed until further notice and until American intervention in the region ended, according to state news agency IRNA.

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The Strait of Hormuz will be closed until further notice and until American intervention in the region ends.