The United States military commenced a new series of strikes against Iran on Wednesday, aiming to degrade capabilities used by Iranian forces to attack commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies. The strikes began at 6 a.m. ET, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command.
These actions represent the latest escalation in a conflict that has seen increased attacks and counterattacks between the two nations as they contest control over the Strait of Hormuz. Prior to the current hostilities, the strait was responsible for transporting approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and gas shipments.
U.S. Central Command stated that the strikes are designed to further weaken Iranian military capabilities employed against maritime traffic in the strategic chokepoint. Specific details regarding the strikes were not immediately provided by the U.S. military, and Iranian media offered no immediate reports of attacks.
This comes after U.S. military operations late Tuesday struck dozens of military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and along Iranian coastal areas over a seven-hour period. In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced Wednesday that it had targeted U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. Iran also issued a warning that the U.S. should anticipate further disruptions to regional energy exports and the potential closure of additional export corridors.
The U.S. has accused Iran of attacking seven commercial ships in the past week, resulting in casualties, including deaths and injuries among crew members. The broader conflict, which reportedly began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran, has led to Iranian retaliatory attacks on Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases. These events have significantly disrupted global energy markets and raised concerns about potential inflation.
Oil prices saw a further increase of about 1% on Wednesday, following a rise to a one-month high on Tuesday. An interim ceasefire agreement, signed last month with the aim of facilitating further negotiations and establishing a permanent truce, has recently faltered, with a return to talks failing to materialize.