US launches third night of strikes on Iran as Trump announces Hormuz blockade

The United States initiated its third consecutive night of airstrikes on Iran, hours after President Donald Trump declared Washington would reimpose a maritime blockade on the country. In a significant policy shift, Trump also announced that ships would be charged for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

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These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the strait of Hormuz.

"These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the strait of Hormuz," stated the US military’s Central Command. President Trump had earlier asserted on radio, "We’re going to hit them very hard tonight and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow – and there’s not a damn thing they can do about it."

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We’re going to hit them very hard tonight and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow – and there’s not a damn thing they can do about it.

This move marks a reversal from the US's previous stance that the strait should remain open to all without tolls. The demand for a 20% tariff on all cargoes shipped through the passage, as suggested by Trump on his Truth Social platform, could violate global norms on freedom of navigation and potentially cause widespread economic disruption. The US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center announced the blockade would cover all ports, oil terminals, and coastal areas starting Tuesday night, with unauthorized vessels subject to interception.

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They have nothing. They have nothing going, other than they have big mouths.

Despite Trump's administration previously insisting that no country should charge fees on international waterways, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated last month that such actions violate existing international law. The conflict has seen some of the heaviest drone and missile exchanges since an interim deal was negotiated, with oil prices rising significantly in response to the escalating tensions.

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Any vessel suspected ‌of entering or departing the blockaded area without authorisation ​is subject to interception, diversion and capture. Noncompliant vessels may be legally compelled with ⁠force.