The United States launched a new wave of airstrikes on Iran on Thursday after Iranian forces allegedly attacked a commercial container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz, setting the vessel on fire and forcing its crew to evacuate.
US Central Command said the strikes targeted around 140 Iranian military sites, including missile, drone, and communications facilities.
Iran responded with missile and drone attacks against targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Qatar and Kuwait said their air defenses intercepted incoming projectiles, while Bahrain activated missile warning systems.
Iran also claimed to have carried out attacks on a US military base in Jordan. Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz “until further notice” and warned of additional actions if US strikes continued.
The latest escalation has heightened concerns over regional security and the global energy market, as the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil and natural gas exports.
