US launches fresh strikes on Iran, insists Tehran doesn't control Strait of Hormuz

The United States conducted a new wave of strikes against Iran early Monday, targeting its air defense systems, radar sites, and missile and drone equipment. These actions followed an Iranian attack over the weekend that set a container ship ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving one crew member missing.

Tehran retaliated with further strikes across the region. Iranian state media confirmed the attacks on its soil, reporting explosions in multiple locations, including a water pumping station in Mahshahr where at least one person was killed and four were injured. Strikes were also reported in southern and western Iran, including Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas near the strait, and Khuzestan province.

U.S. President Donald Trump had previously stated that the American military had "hit them hard" and claimed Iran had agreed to a diplomatic deal before attacking the ship. However, an Iranian foreign ministry statement suggested that the time for diplomacy might be over following the latest U.S. strikes.

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The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global trade. Iran does not control it.

Despite the escalating tensions, Israel remained on the sidelines, not joining the U.S. strikes nor becoming a target for Tehran's retaliation. Israel had no role in negotiating a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the U.S. aimed at reopening the strait and launching talks, a deal that now appears increasingly fragile.

The U.S. military's Central Command stated that the strikes aimed to "degrade" Iran's "ability to attack commercial ships freely transiting" the Strait of Hormuz. They emphasized that "The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global trade. Iran does not control it." U.S. forces are prepared to ensure freedom of navigation despite Iran's "continued unwarranted aggression, harassment, threats and arbitrary declarations."

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US forces are postured and prepared to ensure that freedom of navigation remains available to commercial shipping despite Iran’s continued unwarranted aggression, harassment, threats and arbitrary declarations.