According to multiple reports, Iran’s military command warned that any vessel attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz could be targeted, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict. The waterway is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, and news of the closure has already sent oil prices higher amid fears of supply disruptions.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan in retaliation for American strikes on Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. officials have acknowledged attacks on bases in the region but said there was no significant damage from the latest wave of strikes.
There are also conflicting claims about the situation in the Strait itself. Iranian media have reported that vessels attempting to pass through the waterway were struck, while U.S. Central Command has disputed Iran’s assertion that the strait is fully closed, saying commercial shipping continues to move through the area.
The latest developments have heightened concerns about a broader regional conflict and the impact on global energy markets. Brent crude and U.S. oil prices rose sharply following the announcement.
As this is a fast-moving situation, details may change rapidly as governments and military officials release further information.
