US Strikes Iran, Trump Vows Naval Blockade Amid Renewed Conflict

The United States launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran Tuesday, with President Donald Trump vowing to reimpose a naval blockade on the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The move escalates a conflict that has seen fighting surge to a scale unseen since an April ceasefire.

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degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping

In retaliation, Iran fired missiles and drones at regional neighbors, including Bahrain and Jordan. Bahrain reported intercepting "several treacherous aerial attacks launched by Iran," accusing Tehran of targeting civilians. The United Arab Emirates reported Iran had struck two ships in the waterway, killing one crew member. The UK Maritime Trade Operations also reported another tanker struck by a missile near Oman's coast.

US Central Command stated the five-hour mission targeted sites across Iran, including coastal Bushehr and Bandar Abbas, aiming to "degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping." According to an AFP tally, renewed US attacks since last week have killed at least 28 people in Iran.

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several treacherous aerial attacks launched by Iran

Trump's declaration on the Hormuz blockade and the intensity of the renewed fighting cast doubt on efforts to achieve a permanent end to the war. The United States had previously imposed a blockade on Tehran's ports after Iran began blocking the strait following US-Israel attacks in February. Restrictions had eased after a preliminary deal in June.

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Act of war

Oil prices surged more than nine percent Monday on fears of renewed conflict and rose again Tuesday. Trump had previously announced the United States was "taking over" the strait and would impose a 20 percent levy on all cargo shipped through it, an announcement Iran mocked as "piracy."

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piracy