The United States launched new airstrikes against Iran early Thursday, following recent Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and natural gas shipments. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that these Iranian attacks signaled the end of a fragile ceasefire, though he indicated negotiations would continue. The U.S. Central Command reported hitting approximately 90 targets across Iran, including military sites and port facilities, aiming to "further degrade" Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the strait. Oil prices reacted to the escalation, with Brent crude rising by more than 3% to $76 a barrel.
In response to the U.S. strikes, Iran retaliated by targeting U.S.-allied countries in the Middle East, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. Iranian state media reported explosions in several locations, including Bushehr, home to Iran's nuclear power plant complex, and southern port cities. The strikes by Iran were claimed by its Revolutionary Guard, and Kuwait's military reported actively intercepting incoming drones and missiles. Iran's Health Ministry reported at least 14 people killed and 78 wounded in Iran from the American airstrikes, mostly members of the armed forces.
This exchange of fire has heightened fears that the war in the Middle East could reignite, potentially halting crucial energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Lloyd’s List Intelligence data shows that while traffic had picked up in June with 576 ships transiting the strait compared to 233 in May, this was still significantly lower than the more than 3,100 transits in June 2025. NATO chief Mark Rutte described the American strikes as "absolutely necessary," arguing that Iran was violating the ceasefire. The U.S. also revoked its temporary suspension of sanctions on Iranian oil sales, leading to accusations from Iran of breaching their Memorandum of Understanding.
