US Launches Third Strike Against Iran Amid Escalating Regional Conflict
Regional tensions surge as Strait of Hormuz closure impacts global shipping and oil markets.
Sarah Connor
The United States executed a third round of strikes against Iran, intensifying a conflict that began on February 28 with joint US-Israeli attacks on Iranian sites.
CENTCOM confirmed hitting approximately 140 targets, including missile and drone launch sites, ammunition dumps, and communication equipment.
US forces deployed fighter jets, ships, aerial drones, and, for the first time in these operations, naval drones in these strikes.
Missile alert sirens blared across Bahrain, and Kuwaiti air defenses fired in response to Iranian actions.
Jordanian officials intercepted four missiles within its airspace, preventing them from reaching their targets.
The number of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz plummeted to multi-week lows on Sunday.
No commercial vessels broadcast their location while crossing the Strait of Hormuz since Sunday evening; an average of 138 ships passed through the waterway daily before the conflict.
Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) stated transit through the vital shipping route 'is not currently possible' due to 'illegal movements of the United States military forces in the region.'
Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed the Strait of Hormuz is 'our territory' and stated they would not allow Washington's 'illegal interference in it.'
The Strait of Hormuz is our territory.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the Strait is closed until further notice, asserting foreign powers hold no claim to this land or to the Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC stated multiple vessels disregarded their warnings and instructions; a warning shot struck one vessel, bringing it to a stop.
Later, the IRGC reported hitting a second vessel, accusing it of 'violating regulations,' after Iran said it closed the strait when a vessel traveled on an unapproved route.
Its navy stopped two ships in the strait on Sunday by shutting down their systems.
This strategic shift follows Iran's launch of missiles and drones at its Gulf neighbors yesterday in retaliation to US strikes.
The IRGC claimed they destroyed a command-and-control center and drone hangars in US ally Jordan, targeted a US radar site and later rocket launcher systems in Kuwait, and attacked US aircraft carrier support and refueling platforms in Oman.
They also reported destroying a jet maintenance center and command facility in Qatar, and setting ablaze fuel tanks and ammunition depots at Jordan's Prince Hassan Air Base.
Washington stated US strikes aimed to hold Iranian forces accountable following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement last week after Iran's attack on ships.
On the diplomatic front, Nato chief Mark Rutte and French president Emmanuel Macron publicly supported the US strikes.
They stated Iran's actions constituted a clear violation of an interim ceasefire agreement designed to ensure safe passage.
A memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran stipulated safe passage for commercial vessels for 60 days.
Historically, President Donald Trump announced the US would impose a 20 percent toll on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, stating it would serve as reimbursement.
Trump also claimed the US would be reinstating 'THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE,' preventing Iranian ships or customers from entering or leaving the strait.
Economically, oil prices surged following the weekend's attacks, with Brent crude rising 4.7% to $79.59 a barrel.
Asian stock markets dropped sharply, with South Korea's Kospi down 8%, Japan's Nikkei 225 and China's Shanghai Composite 2% lower.
Shares in SK Hynix slumped by 15% and Samsung Electronics sank 10%, while gold fell by 1.5% to $4,060.36 an ounce.
The US revoked the license authorizing the sale of Iranian crude oil on Tuesday, further tightening economic pressure.
Against this backdrop, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei stated, 'We will avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers.'
The era of one-sided deals is OVER. We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking.
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Speaker of Iran's Parliament, stated, 'The era of one-sided deals is OVER. We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking.'