The United States launched new strikes targeting Iranian missile and radar sites in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, hours before a planned reimposition of a naval blockade on Iran's coastline. The move by U.S. Central Command signals an escalation in the conflict over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
"The blockade goes into effect at 4 p.m. ET," Central Command stated. The action follows a collapse in a previous truce, which occurred last week after Iran struck three vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting two rounds of U.S. retaliatory strikes.
In response to the latest U.S. actions, Iran launched its own missiles toward American bases and allied targets in the region. State propaganda videos accompanying these strikes featured rockets with stickers bearing religious messages directed at President Donald Trump. One sticker referenced biblical figures, stating, "If they claim to have destroyed all or most of Iran's military capability, yet they are still being slapped around by Iran, there are two reasons... First, they are lying; second, the prayers and blessings of the prophets Moses, Jesus, David and Solomon stand behind the monotheistic nation of Iran." Another message stated, "Hey Trump, our God is the same God who carried the faith of Abraham forward for centuries — the God of Moses and Jesus."
Earlier, President Trump had reversed a decision to impose a 20 percent security fee on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, opting instead for the full naval blockade targeting Iranian shipping. Trump had declared the previous truce dead from the NATO summit in Ankara, stating, "There's something wrong with them. They're cuckoo. As far as I'm concerned, it's over."
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil transport, accounting for about a fifth of the world's oil flow, has been a central point of contention since the conflict began in February. Escalations in the region have previously caused significant market volatility.