Key facts
- The US has intensified attacks on Iran, striking targets near Tehran and a ship accused of blockade running.
- Iran retaliated with missiles and drones targeting Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait, which host US bases.
- The conflict has reached its sixth consecutive day, threatening to escalate into total war.
- Iran has stated it shut the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil and gas export route.
- US attacks have resulted in over 35 deaths and more than 300 wounded, according to Iranian authorities.
- Oil prices have risen to approximately $85 a barrel due to the disruptions.
The United States has intensified its military actions against Iran, launching strikes near Tehran and targeting a vessel accused of violating a blockade. In response, Iran has fired missiles and drones at US allies in the Gulf region. This escalation marks the sixth consecutive day of hostilities, raising concerns about a potential return to full-scale regional war and casting doubt on a recent interim peace agreement.
US forces initiated their latest wave of attacks early Thursday, hitting targets in and around Tehran for the first time in this conflict, as well as in other provinces, according to Iranian state media. The US military also reported firing a Hellfire missile at a tanker approaching Iran's largest oil export terminal, Kharg island, after the vessel reportedly ignored multiple warnings.
Iranian authorities stated that US attacks in recent days have resulted in over 35 fatalities and more than 300 injuries. Tehran condemned the US actions as a "barbaric attack," particularly after strikes near a cancer hospital in southwestern Iran necessitated the evacuation of 211 hospitalized children.
In retaliation, Iran launched missiles and drones on Thursday targeting Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait, countries that host US military bases. Iraq's Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi also reported an overnight drone attack on Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, which was intercepted. This occurred as al-Zaidi pledged to disarm non-state armed groups during a visit to the US.
Iran has warned that its attacks could expand if the US proceeds with threats to strike power plants, bridges, or nuclear facilities. Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari, an Iranian military spokesperson, declared that "all the infrastructure in the region will be crushed" and emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is an "inviolable red line" for Iran. He suggested that reopening the strait depends on the US adhering to a Memorandum of Understanding signed last month and complying with Iranian regulations for ship transit.
Much of the recent conflict has centered on the Strait of Hormuz, with both Iran and the US vying for control over this vital waterway. The interim deal included provisions for the strait to remain open during its 60-day duration, though interpretations of these terms differ, with both nations claiming separate transit lanes. The strait's closure by Iran following the war's commencement led to a surge in global energy prices and inflation.
Shipping data indicated a decrease in vessel traffic through the strait on Wednesday following the reimposition of the US blockade. India, a significant source of merchant vessel crews, has instructed shipowners and recruitment agencies to halt the deployment of Indian seafarers on ships bound for the Strait of Hormuz until further notice.
Oil prices have climbed to approximately $85 per barrel, the highest in a month, though still below the peak of $120 reached earlier in the conflict. Analysts suggest that sustained disruptions in the strait could push oil prices higher, potentially reaching $100 per barrel.
Despite US threats to forcibly reopen the strait, experts note that such an operation would require substantial ground forces. President Trump has maintained that Iran is amenable to a peace deal, while Iranian officials assert they will not capitulate to military pressure. Trump stated on Wednesday that Iran "do want to settle," but Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, Iran's top negotiator, countered that the two nations are engaged in an "essential and existential war with America."