US and Iran exchange fresh strikes as Tehran says Strait of Hormuz is closed
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The US and Iran exchanged missile and drone strikes, with Tehran claiming to have closed the Strait of Hormuz again.
- President Donald Trump declared an end to a ceasefire, though negotiations remain possible.
- Iran cited a warning shot hitting a vessel on an unapproved route as justification for closing the strait, while the US reported hitting numerous Iranian military targets.
The United States and Iran engaged in significant missile and drone exchanges on Sunday, escalating regional tensions as Tehran announced the closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump declared an end to a ceasefire that had been in place since February 28, though he indicated a willingness for continued negotiations.
The strait will remain closed โuntil โthe end of US interference in this region,โ
The recent escalation followed multiple attacks on commercial ships in the region. Iran stated it closed the strait after a warning shot struck a vessel traveling on an unauthorized route. Iran's Revolutionary Guards declared the strait would remain closed until "the end of US interference in this region." However, U.S. Central Command countered that commercial vessels continue to transit the waterway, which previously handled one-fifth of global oil and LNG shipments.
commercial vessels continue to transit through the waterway that carried one-fifth of the worldโs oil and LNG shipments before the war.
U.S. Central Command reported hitting 140 Iranian military targets on Saturday, part of over 300 strikes aimed at degrading Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels. In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed to have destroyed a command and control center and drone hangars in Jordan, targeted a radar site in Kuwait, attacked U.S. aircraft carrier support and refueling platforms in Oman, and destroyed a jet maintenance center and command facility in Qatar.
US forces hit 140 Iranian military targets on Saturday, out of more than 300 during three nights of strikes โto degrade Iranโs ability to โattack โcivilian โmariners and commercial vessels freely transiting the strait.โ
Qatar's government confirmed that three people, including a child, were injured by falling shrapnel from an attack. The United Arab Emirates reported its defense systems intercepted Iranian missiles and drones, while Bahrain experienced warning sirens and explosions were heard in Doha. These strikes marked a sharp increase in pace and targets, following Iran's warnings of a "severe response" to any retaliation over the container ship incident. The conflict has destabilized the Gulf, causing energy prices to surge and contributing to global inflation, a politically sensitive issue for Trump ahead of November elections.
There can only be mutual compliance
Originally published by Irish Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.