New escalation in the Strait of Hormuz
The United States launched multiple airstrikes against Iran on Sunday, in response to an Iranian action against a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz. The initial attack set the boat on fire and left one crew member missing.
Tehran responded with offensives against Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman. The latter nation, located on the other side of the strait, faces Iranian pressure to cooperate in managing maritime traffic.
The US military said it seeks to “degrade” Iran’s ability to attack commercial ships that transit freely through the waterway. The statement came after a third round of attacks, which lasted until early Monday morning.
Iranian state media confirmed explosions at several points. The first American wave, on Sunday morning, was a direct retaliation for the Iranian attack on the container ship the day before. In response, Iran attacked Gulf Arab countries, intensifying a cycle of violence that jeopardizes negotiations between Tehran and Washington to end the conflict.
Military objectives and reactions
Hours later, the United States attacked again. The governor of the island of Qeshm, near the strait, reported fewer than a dozen shells fired at military targets, with no casualties, according to the state agency IRNA. Explosions were also heard in Bandar Abbas and Hajiabad.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said some attacks targeted missile systems, air defense and vessels of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.
US Central Command said it hit about 140 targets, including missile and drone launch sites, ammunition depots and communications equipment.
Negotiations on the brink of collapse
Iran and the United States are almost halfway through the 60-day period of their interim agreement, designed to reach a definitive cessation of hostilities. The strait, a key route for global oil and gas supplies, has become a point of friction that threatens to break down talks.
“A return to large-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, according to a statement.
Iran maintains that the strait is closed; The United States denies it. The tension continues to increase.
