US and Iran exchange airstrikes as military confirms Strait of Hormuz open
US Central Command has confirmed the Strait of Hormuz remains open for transit following a series of retaliatory airstrikes between US and Iranian forces. The military confrontation follows Iran's alleged attack on a container ship and the collapse of a regional memorandum of understanding.
The United States and Iran intensified their aerial confrontations over the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides claiming control of the critical waterway amid escalating military strikes and diplomatic posturing. The latest exchanges, marked by reciprocal attacks on military and strategic targets, have deepened tensions in the Gulf, with the strait’s status as an international waterway at the center of the dispute.
US Central Command confirmed it struck 140 Iranian military targets in a new round of airstrikes, including missile and drone sites, ammunition depots, and communication infrastructure. The operation, described as aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping, followed Iran’s alleged attack on a Cyprus-flagged container ship in the strait. Iran, meanwhile, claimed to have targeted US military assets in Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) asserting it had destroyed a US airbase in Qatar and logistical facilities in Oman’s Duqm port. The US has not independently verified these claims, but CENTCOM reiterated that the strait remains open to navigation.
Iran’s state media declared the Strait of Hormuz “closed” following what it described as a warning shot fired at a vessel using an “unapproved route.” The IRGC claimed to have targeted US bases and radar sites across the Gulf, while Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, accused the US of breaching a June memorandum of understanding (MoU) that aimed to stabilize the region. “The era of one-sided deals is OVER,” he wrote on social media, referencing Iran’s demand for exclusive control over the strait’s management. The US, however, rejected Iran’s claims, with CENTCOM stating, “Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic is flowing.”
The conflict has drawn in Gulf allies, with Qatar, the UAE, and Bahrain reporting missile and drone attacks. Qatar’s Interior Ministry urged residents to seek shelter after intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles, while the UAE’s defense forces engaged hostile aerial targets. Oman, a key mediator, summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest attacks on its territory, marking a rare diplomatic rebuke. Iran’s strikes also reportedly damaged Kuwait’s offshore drilling platform and targeted border posts, injuring one worker.
President Donald Trump, speaking to NBC, claimed the US had “bombed the hell out of them last night” and accused Iran of breaking a “perfect deal” by attacking a ship. He called Iran’s leadership “evil and sick,” despite earlier assertions that the ceasefire agreement was nearing collapse. The MoU, signed in June, was intended to extend a truce and facilitate the resumption of shipping through the strait. However, Iran’s recent attacks on commercial vessels—including a Qatari LNG tanker and the Cypriot GFS Galaxy—have derailed negotiations, with both sides blaming each other for the breakdown.
The GFS Galaxy, struck by Iranian forces, was disabled and its crew forced to abandon ship. India reported one of its nationals missing, while Oman’s maritime authority rescued 23 crew members. Iran’s foreign ministry argued the strait’s closure was justified, stating it would impose fees for navigation to offset security costs. “Providing security is costly,” a spokesperson said, rejecting proposals for an international authority to manage the waterway. The UK Maritime Trade Operations center confirmed the GFS Galaxy was traveling along Oman’s southern route, a path Iran has contested.
Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis continue, with Pakistan and Qatar urging restraint. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called for “dialogue and diplomacy” during a call with Iran’s envoy, while Qatar’s foreign ministry condemned Iran’s attacks as a “dangerous escalation.” The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, urged both sides to halt hostilities and resume talks, but the conflict shows no signs of abating.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global oil supply passes, remains a flashpoint. While the US insists the waterway is open, Iran’s threats to target ships and its demands for control have created uncertainty. Oil prices, which surged during the conflict, have since dipped, reflecting market hopes for a negotiated resolution. However, with both sides refusing to back down, the region faces a prolonged standoff with far-reaching implications for global energy security and regional stability.
