Key facts
- Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and threatened passage after US strikes.
- Oil prices surged over $2 following Iran's announcement.
- US forces conducted multiple waves of strikes across Iran overnight.
- Iran claimed retaliatory strikes on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
- The UN chief warned of a deepening crisis in the Middle East.
- Three LNG tankers successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz despite Iran's closure order.
Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to target any vessel attempting passage following a series of US strikes on its military assets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. Oil prices surged over $2 per barrel in response to the escalating tensions. The US military denied its warships were struck and stated its actions were in self-defense, conducting multiple waves of attacks overnight on dozens of Iranian sites.
Iran claimed retaliatory strikes on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, with its IRGC Aerospace Force chief vowing further action. Air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain and Kuwait. The UN Secretary-General warned the Middle East is entering a deepening crisis with far-reaching consequences, and the UN Security Council convened to discuss mediation. Yemen's Houthis cautioned that the conflict risks wider escalation and threatens global economic stability.
President Trump indicated a potential US attack to force negotiations, threatening to seize Iranian oil infrastructure. Retired US General Mark Kimmitt suggested the US actions stemmed from diplomatic frustration. Meanwhile, Israel conducted strikes in Lebanon and the West Bank, with an Israeli drone hitting a house in Nabatieh and forces raiding villages in Syria. The US released video of its warships firing missiles during the strikes.
International reactions included China calling for an end to hostilities, Saudi Arabia condemning Iran's attacks and urging de-escalation, and Turkey's Foreign Minister urging both sides to resume talks. The UAE condemned Iran's attacks as hostile and a violation of sovereignty. Despite Iran's closure order, three LNG tankers successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz, with two bound for Asia and one for India.