US strikes Iran after cargo ship attack; UK raises Hormuz threat level

Key facts

• The U.S. military struck Iranian targets after an attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
• The UK raised the threat level in the Strait of Hormuz.
• The U.S. tested new Lockheed Martin Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) on Lamerd, Iran.
• 21 civilians, including six children, were killed in the missile test in Lamerd.
• Iran's IRGC denied reports of a direct U.S. hotline.
• Iran resumed cargo clearance from the UAE's Jebel Ali Port.
• Bahrain condemned an Iranian drone attack on its territory.
• An LNG tanker chartered by QatarEnergy reversed course near the Strait of Hormuz.
• The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed for nearly three weeks.
• An estimated 1,000 vessels and their crews have been impacted by the closure.
• The UN is calling for sustained diplomatic efforts to ensure safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran's captain Mehdi Taremi criticized World Cup logistics.

The U.S. military has launched strikes against Iranian targets, including missile and drone storage and radar sites, in retaliation for an attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Following these U.S. airstrikes, the United Kingdom has raised the threat level in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's IRGC denied reports of a direct U.S. hotline and stated it resumed cargo clearance from the UAE's Jebel Ali Port. The U.S. military also conducted defensive strikes inside Iran targeting radar sites and intercepted multiple Iranian missiles and drones. Iran's parliament has vowed decisive action against any violations of shipping instructions.

In a separate development, the U.S. tested new Lockheed Martin Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) on Lamerd, Iran, which resulted in the deaths of 21 civilians, including six children. Centcom initially denied involvement, blaming Iran, but later praised the missile's deployment. Bahrain condemned an Iranian drone attack on its territory, calling it a threat to regional security, while Iran claimed it struck U.S.-linked targets in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes. An LNG tanker chartered by QatarEnergy reversed course near the Strait of Hormuz following warnings from Iran's IRGC, adding to shipping uncertainty. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed for nearly three weeks, impacting an estimated 1,000 vessels and their crews, and has pressured the shipping insurance market, causing war-risk premiums to fall.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance asserted that the U.S. holds all the cards in negotiations with Iran, stating the U.S. wins regardless of the outcome due to the destruction of Iran's nuclear program and its diminished standing. The United Nations is calling for sustained diplomatic efforts to ensure safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz amid persistent tensions between the U.S. and Iran, emphasizing the importance of regional and global stability. A maritime body overseen by the U.S. Navy announced the expansion of a route near Oman in the Strait of Hormuz to facilitate inbound and outbound traffic.

Separately, Iran's captain Mehdi Taremi criticized the logistical arrangements for his team at the World Cup in the United States, calling the tournament a 'disaster' and questioning if the side was welcome. The team drew 1-1 with Egypt, with a potential winning goal disallowed.