The United States launched a third consecutive night of military strikes on Iran, while President Donald Trump announced plans to reimpose a blockade on Iranian ports and introduce a 20 per cent levy on cargo passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The latest escalation comes despite Trump’s insistence that a diplomatic agreement with Tehran remains possible, even as both countries exchanged fresh attacks across the region.
US targets Iranian military infrastructure
According to the US military, a five-hour operation targeted multiple sites across Iran, including Bushehr and Bandar Abbas, with the aim of degrading Tehran’s ability to launch attacks on commercial shipping.
The strikes followed reports that Iranian forces attacked two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one crew member, according to authorities in the United Arab Emirates.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump warned that further military action was imminent.
“We’re going to hit them very hard tonight, and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow,” he said.
Iran retaliates with regional strikes
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced missile and drone strikes targeting US military facilities in Bahrain, including a residential building housing American personnel.
Iran also launched attacks towards Jordan, with Jordanian authorities confirming that four incoming missiles were intercepted.
The IRGC said its operations targeted American military assets and urged regional countries to demand the withdrawal of US military bases.
Iran warned that any Gulf nation cooperating with Washington’s military operations would be regarded as committing “an act of war.”
Trump announces Hormuz blockade
Trump also declared that the United States would reimpose a blockade on Iranian ports beginning 2000 GMT on Tuesday and announced plans to impose a 20 per cent charge on all cargo moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
Posting on Truth Social, the US president said America would become “THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” adding that while Iranian ports would remain blockaded, other countries would continue to enjoy unrestricted access to the vital shipping lane.
The announcement drew criticism from Iran.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded sarcastically on X, saying compensation for guaranteeing safe passage made sense but arguing that a 20 per cent fee was excessive.
“20% is of course too much,” Araghchi wrote.
Oil prices surge
The renewed hostilities triggered fresh concerns over global energy supplies.
Oil prices climbed by more than nine per cent on Monday and continued rising on Tuesday amid fears that prolonged conflict could disrupt one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.
Although Trump maintained that a peace agreement remained achievable, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the memorandum of understanding reached in June was now “in crisis.”
He warned that Iran would no longer honour its commitments if Washington abandoned its own obligations but confirmed that discussions with mediators from Qatar, Pakistan and Oman were continuing to prevent further escalation.
Trump threatens nuclear facility
The US president also threatened to destroy Pickaxe Mountain, an underground nuclear facility near Natanz that Western intelligence agencies suspect is linked to undeclared uranium enrichment activities.
Meanwhile, the White House confirmed that Trump had formally notified Congress of the renewed military campaign, giving the Pentagon authority to continue operations against Iran for another 60 days without additional congressional approval.
Analysts say the renewed exchange of attacks has significantly complicated diplomatic efforts and heightened fears of a broader regional conflict.
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