Escalation Deepens as US and Iran Trade Strikes in the Gulf Region
Military clashes intensify as attacks, maritime disruption, and oil market fears spread across the Gulf.
The military escalation between the US and Iran has intensified. Tehran has claimed attacks on American military sites in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Oman. This comes after Washington launched its fifth wave of strikes in six days, responding to attacks on commercial shipping in the vital Strait of Hormuz.
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The US military’s Central Command (Centcom) confirmed its latest strikes hit dozens of targets inside Iran. These targets included air defence systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone capabilities, and attack speedboats belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The operation used fighter jets, naval ships, and one-way attack aerial and sea drones.
Centcom emphasized the importance of the waterway, stating: "The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global trade. Iran does not control it. US forces are positioned and prepared to ensure that freedom of navigation remains available despite unwarranted Iranian aggression."
US President Donald Trump explained that the strikes were ordered after Iran targeted a commercial vessel, despite progress in recent talks.
"We had a deal with them yesterday. They were giving up everything," Trump told CNN. "Then all of a sudden, two hours after that, they hit the ship with a drone."
He added: "We hit them very hard last night. These people, there's something wrong with them."
The latest US military actions followed Saturday’s attack on the Cyprus-flagged container ship, MV GFS Galaxy, off the coast of Oman. The vessel caught fire, forcing the crew to abandon ship, and one crew member remains missing. Washington noted it had hit around 140 Iranian targets on Sunday alone.
Conflicting Claims Over the Strait of Hormuz
Iranian state media reported US strikes on Bandar Abbas, Hajiabad, and Qeshm Island. Meanwhile, reports quoting US officials indicated that American forces targeted missile systems and IRGC speedboats near the Strait of Hormuz.
In response, the IRGC claimed it launched missile and drone strikes against US military facilities in the region. These facilities include Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan, and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. The IRGC claimed to have destroyed fuel depots, ammunition stores, and Patriot air defence systems. These claims have not been independently verified.
Local authorities in the Gulf region took quick action during the strikes. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry activated warning sirens, advising residents to seek shelter. Jordan’s military confirmed it shot down four missiles entering its airspace from Iran, resulting in falling shrapnel. In Kuwait, the armed forces confirmed their air defences successfully intercepted hostile aerial targets, explaining that the loud explosions heard by residents were from these interceptions.
This follows earlier incidents on Sunday, where Kuwait reported a drone strike on an offshore oil platform that injured a worker, and Jordan, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE experienced aerial threats that were successfully intercepted.
Impact on Maritime Shipping and Oil Prices
The tension began after the IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz closed and attacked commercial ships. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on social media: "Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay."
Despite the closure declaration, the US military and the UK-led Joint Maritime Information Centre confirmed that commercial shipping continues through an alternate southern route. However, the maritime threat level is still listed as severe.
As a result, maritime traffic through the strait has dropped significantly. Only a few vessels are transiting the waterway compared to the usual 110 ships per day. Many ships are now traveling with their tracking systems turned off to avoid detection.
This disruption has immediately affected global financial markets. Oil prices jumped by about 4 per cent, and stock markets in Asia experienced drops, reflecting concerns over the vital energy corridor.
While Oman continues diplomatic efforts with Tehran to resolve the crisis, the situation remains highly tense as both sides expand their military operations.
AI contributed to the creation of this article.