The United States carried out a fresh round of military strikes on Iranian targets on Thursday, while Iran announced the closure of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and launched retaliatory actions against locations hosting US forces in the region.
US Central Command said it had completed a second consecutive day of what it described as “self-defence strikes”, targeting Iranian air-defence systems, radar installations, communications infrastructure and surveillance capabilities. Washington said the action was in response to continued Iranian aggression.
Iranian media reported explosions in several locations, including Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Minab and Sirik, with air-defence systems activated in parts of the country. Reports also indicated military activity near the Strait of Hormuz.
In a major escalation, Iran’s joint military command announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that vessels attempting to transit the waterway could face military action. The announcement followed the latest US strikes on Iranian military infrastructure.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had launched attacks against US-linked military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. Bahrain activated warning sirens, while Kuwait temporarily closed its airspace and said its armed forces were responding to missile and drone threats.
However, US Central Command disputed Iranian claims that the Strait had been effectively shut down, stating that commercial shipping continued to move through the waterway under the protection of international naval forces. Washington also denied reports that US warships had been hit during the latest exchanges.
US President Donald Trump said American forces were assisting commercial shipping movements and maintaining pressure on Tehran amid stalled negotiations. He reiterated that maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continued despite Iran’s announcement.
The latest confrontation has heightened concerns over global energy supplies, as the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important routes for oil exports. Oil prices rose sharply following Iran’s announcement, reflecting market concerns over potential disruptions to energy shipments.
