US Launches Fresh Strikes on Iran Over Ship Attacks in Strait of Hormuz
The United States military announced on Wednesday that it had carried out new strikes against Iran, citing the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to global shipping. The action came hours after US President Donald Trump declared that an interim agreement to end hostilities with Iran was effectively void.
Iran claimed on Wednesday that it had struck US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, prompting the US retaliatory strikes. The escalation began with attacks on three cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, which the US has attributed to Iran. However, Iranian officials have not claimed responsibility for those attacks. Analysts suggest that Iran uses such actions to demonstrate its leverage in the strategic waterway, through which about one-fifth of the world's oil passes.
US Central Command stated on social media that the strikes were conducted to 'further degrade Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation' and to hold Iran accountable for what it termed 'unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews.'
The exchange of strikes has raised concerns about the stability of a shaky ceasefire agreement signed earlier this year. A memorandum of understanding was signed on June 17 with the aim of moving towards a permanent peace deal to end the conflict that began with US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28. President Trump, speaking at a NATO summit in Ankara, expressed doubt about the prospects of a deal, stating, 'If we make a deal with Iran I'm not sure that will stick.' He described Iran as 'very dishonourable people.' However, he also indicated that he did not expect a return to full-scale war and it remained unclear whether negotiations would continue.
The situation has led to a spike in oil prices, which rose by about 7% amid the uncertainty. The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of tensions, as control over the waterway gives Tehran significant strategic leverage.
