The United States military has concluded a third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, as Washington and Tehran stake competing claims to control the Strait of Hormuz. The military action, directed by President Donald Trump, coincides with the reinstatement of a naval blockade on Iranian ports and coastal areas, intensifying a regional crisis that has already resulted in cross-border retaliatory strikes and attacks on commercial shipping.
U.S. Military Operations in the Strait of Hormuz
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the latest round of strikes began at 4:45 p.m. ET (20:45 GMT) on Monday. The five-hour mission was aimed at degrading Iran’s capacity to attack “innocent civilians and commercial shipping” in the strait. According to CENTCOM, U.S. forces “successfully struck military targets across Iran including Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas.” The operations targeted Iranian coastal defense systems, missile and drone sites, and maritime capabilities.
Iranian state television and semi-official news agencies reported explosions throughout the night across the country’s southern coast. Reports of damage extended to Kish and Qeshm islands, as well as the town of Jam in Bushehr province. Iranian authorities reported the killing of two people and injuries to others in what they described as an American attack on scattered sites from Abadan in the southwest of Iran. The Fars news agency, citing the regional governor’s office, noted that a projectile struck western Bandar Abbas but caused no casualties.
Naval Blockade and Toll Charges
The strikes occurred hours after President Trump ordered the reinstatement of a maritime blockade on Iranian ports. The Joint Maritime Information Center, led by the U.S. Navy, stated that the blockade would begin enforcement at 8:00 PM GMT on Tuesday, noting that humanitarian shipments would be permitted to pass subject to inspection. President Trump also floated a 20% toll charge for ships transiting the critical energy waterway. Trump told Fox News that the U.S. was “going to keep the Strait” and declared the blockade back on.
The proposal for a toll has met with both defiance and diplomatic friction. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, mocked the announcement, stating, “POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service.” Conversely, the International Maritime Organization stated that passage through the strait “should remain free of any tolls and charges, in accordance with international law.”
Retaliation and Escalating Conflict
Following the U.S. strikes, Tehran initiated retaliatory actions against Gulf neighbors. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Defense Ministry reported that the national tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah were targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles in the strait’s southern lane, located inside Omani territorial waters. The attack killed one Indian crew member. Additionally, Iranian state television quoted the army as saying that Iran targeted American military facilities in Kuwait using drones. Iranian military sources further claimed that IRGC air defense systems shot down an American MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump had previously told the Hugh Hewitt program that Iran would face strong strikes today and tomorrow. The situation remains fluid, with Iran announcing that a memorandum of understanding regarding the region has been impacted by the renewed U.S. military activity.
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