U.S. forces conducted a series of "offensive strikes" against Iranian drone and missile sites late Sunday, aiming to degrade Iran's capacity to attack international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the operation, stating that the strikes hit dozens of targets, including air defense systems, coastal radar sites, and missile and drone facilities.
CENTCOM emphasized the critical importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global commerce, asserting that Iran does not control it. The military released footage depicting fighter jets launching from aircraft carriers and subsequent explosions at various locations.
In response to the U.S. strikes, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on Gulf countries it accused of aiding the United States, asserting its sovereign right to control the waterway. Iranian state media acknowledged the U.S. strikes on Monday, reporting explosions and at least one fatality. The country's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard declared the Strait of Hormuz Iranian territory and vowed to resist what it called "illegal interference" by the U.S.
The escalation occurred despite a previous agreement for a 60-day ceasefire aimed at ending hostilities. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned that a return to full-scale conflict would have "catastrophic consequences."
The Strait of Hormuz has been a focal point of contention, with Iran insisting on its sole authority to manage shipping traffic. Iran has favored a northern route through its territorial waters, while the U.S. has supported vessels using a southern route closer to Oman's coast. This latter route has been the target of repeated Iranian attacks.
Just last week, Iranian forces struck three vessels in the Strait, including a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker and a Saudi crude oil tanker. In response, U.S. forces conducted strikes targeting approximately 90 military sites, including many Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boats.
The most recent U.S. strikes followed an incident on Saturday where Iranian forces attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship, the M/V GFS Galaxy, causing significant damage. The ship was reportedly attempting to use an unauthorized route. While Omani authorities rescued 23 crew members, one was reported missing. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth vowed retaliation for the attack.
President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. had "bombed the hell" out of Iran in retaliation. Iran subsequently launched attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Oman. Missile alert sirens sounded in Bahrain, and Kuwaiti air defenses were reported to be active. Jordanian officials also reported intercepting missiles within their airspace.
Diplomatic efforts are underway to de-escalate the situation. The Iranian foreign minister met with his Omani counterpart to discuss mechanisms for ensuring safe passage of ships. Pakistani officials also reported their foreign minister urged de-escalation in a call with Iran's top diplomat.
Despite previous agreements, President Trump had declared the ceasefire over on Friday. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued a statement vowing to avenge perceived killings from previous wars. The IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz closed until further notice and threatened to attack additional enemy bases if further strikes occurred.
The conflict has already impacted oil prices, with U.S. crude oil futures and Brent futures seeing significant increases following the weekend's events.