US Launches Major Military Strikes Against Iran as Strait of Hormuz Dispute Escalates

The United States and Iran have entered a fresh cycle of military confrontation over control of the Strait of Hormuz, with President Donald Trump announcing plans to reinstate a naval blockade and levy a 20% fee on vessels transiting the vital shipping corridor. The escalation threatens a preliminary agreement signed in June between the two nations to end their four-month conflict and reopen the waterway. Approximately 20% of global oil and gas shipments normally pass through the strait, making the dispute a matter of international concern.

Military Operations Intensify

US Central Command announced it had begun a new round of strikes on Iranian targets across the country, with fighter jets, naval vessels, and drone systems targeting air-defence systems, coastal radar installations, and missile capabilities. Iranian state television reported explosions at multiple locations along the Gulf coast, including Sirik, Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, and Jask. According to reports, at least one person was killed at a water pumping station in Mahshahr, Khuzestan province, and a telecommunications worker was killed in a strike in Hormozgan province.

In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed they attacked US military assets in Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, and Oman. Authorities in Oman reported intercepting projectiles, though the extent of damage remained unclear. The back-and-forth strikes follow an earlier Iranian announcement that the strait was closed, a claim the US immediately disputed, asserting that traffic continues to flow through the waterway.

Toll Proposal and International Response

Trump declared that the US would charge a 20% fee on all cargo shipped through the strait, stating the revenue would cover security and safety costs for vessels. The announcement prompted Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to respond sardonically on social media, claiming Iran would offer a lower rate and reasserting Tehran's historical role as guardian of the passage. "Iran has always been the guardian of the Strait and will remain so forever," Araghchi wrote, characterizing Iran as the rightful steward of the waterway.

The International Maritime Organization rejected both countries' positions, stating that passage through the Strait of Hormuz "should remain free of any tolls and charges, in accordance with international law." The IMO condemned attacks on civilian vessels and called for de-escalation, reaffirming that the right of transit passage through international straits should not be threatened or suspended.

Regional Spillover and Market Impact

The escalation has extended beyond direct US-Iran confrontation. Saudi Arabia's coalition in Yemen reported that its air defences intercepted ballistic missiles fired by the Iran-aligned Houthis toward the kingdom's southern region. The military exchanges triggered a surge in global oil prices, with Brent crude rising more than 3% as markets reacted to the threat posed to energy supplies flowing through one of the world's most critical chokepoints.

Trump stated the US was prepared to "hit them very hard tonight, and hit them hard tomorrow," suggesting further military action was imminent. He also dismissed the June memorandum of understanding with Iran, characterizing it as a failed test. The renewed conflict casts significant doubt over diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region and secure international shipping lanes.