The United States and Iran exchanged a series of military strikes, leading to a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East. US Central Command announced “precision” strikes on targets inside Iran, including air defense systems, radars, and military communications centers. Washington said these targets posed a threat to US forces and to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Tehran announced strikes on American bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, as well as on naval targets in the strait itself.
According to the Pentagon, the operation involved Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy units. Iranian forces, in turn, confirmed that the American strikes hit areas around Jask, Sirik and Qeshm Island. Communication towers and water supply facilities were damaged in the attacks; coastal units and the vicinity of Bandar Abbas airport were also shelled. Despite reports of explosions in several cities, including Tehran and Karaj, Iranian officials report only limited destruction and casualties.
In response to the US operation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported destroying two ships in the Strait of Hormuz and 18 “important targets” of the US military in the region. According to Tehran’s statements, airbases in Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as a military facility in Jordan, were struck by missiles. In Kuwait, air defense systems intercepted airborne threats, leading to a temporary closure of airspace. Bahraini authorities reported an injured girl, burning cars and damaged homes due to falling debris from Iranian drones.
The climax of the escalation was Iran’s announcement of a full closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels until further notice. The IRGC naval commander promised “decisive action” against any attempt to transit the strait, calling such passage “collaboration with the enemy.” However, US Central Command categorically denied these claims, stressing that maritime traffic through the strait continues normally and without disruption.
The international community reacted to Tehran’s actions with condemnation. Qatar called the Iranian attacks a “gross violation of the sovereignty” of regional countries and urged immediate de-escalation. Egypt expressed solidarity with Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait, stressing the need for a diplomatic settlement. Kuwait reaffirmed its right to defend national security, while Saudi Arabia called for calm, prudence and renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent further bloodshed.
Comments on the news
Why is the Strait of Hormuz considered strategically important for the global economy and how could its possible closure affect global energy prices? — The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow sea passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, through which about 20–25% of the world’s seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade passes. According to the US Energy Information Administration, roughly 17–21 million barrels of oil transit the strait daily. If the strait is closed (for example, due to military actions or a blockade by Iran), supplies from Persian Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar) would be sharply reduced. This would trigger an immediate spike in global oil prices (estimated at 30–50% or more) and destabilize the global energy market, hitting importing countries such as China, India, Japan and European states hardest.
What role does the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) play in Iran’s political and military system, and how does it differ from the regular army? — The IRGC (Sepah-e Pasdaran) is an elite military-political formation created after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to protect the theocratic regime. Unlike the regular army (Artesh), which is responsible for defending borders, the IRGC focuses on internal security, suppressing dissent and conducting operations abroad (through the Quds Force — its special operations unit). The IRGC reports directly to the Supreme Leader (rahbar), not the president, and controls key economic sectors (oil, construction, telecommunications) through affiliated companies. Over recent decades the IRGC has become effectively a “state within a state,” wielding enormous political influence: many former IRGC commanders hold high government and parliamentary positions. The regular army follows traditional military doctrine and does not have the same level of political weight.
What previous incidents between the US and Iran have occurred in the Strait of Hormuz and what is the history of naval conflicts in the region? — The Strait of Hormuz has seen numerous confrontations: in 1987–1988, during the "Tanker War" (part of the Iran–Iraq War), the United States conducted Operation Earnest Will to protect Kuwaiti oil tankers from Iranian mines and attacks. The American frigate USS Stark was struck by Iraqi missiles in 1987 (by mistake). In 1988, the USS Vincennes shot down an Iranian passenger plane (Flight 655), killing 290 people. In 2016, Iranian boats seized US Navy patrol vessels and their crews but later released them. In 2019 Iran shot down a US RQ-4A Global Hawk surveillance drone, and the US responded with cyberattacks on Iranian air defense systems. Between 2021 and 2023, Iranian forces repeatedly detained foreign tankers (for example, in 2023 Iran seized two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman). These incidents reflect a long history of tension, but the strait has not been completely closed — all parties understand the catastrophic economic consequences of such a move.
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