US conducts third night of Iran strikes as Trump plans Strait of Hormuz …

The United States conducted its third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran on Tuesday, intensifying a months-long conflict over control of the Strait of Hormuz as President Donald Trump announced plans to reimpose a naval blockade on Iranian ports and impose a 20% transit fee on ships passing through the critical waterway. The strikes, which began at 4:45 p.m. ET, targeted military installations in Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, and other locations, according to U.S. Central Command, while Iran retaliated by launching missile attacks on Bahrain, Jordan, and two Emirati oil tankers, killing one crew member and wounding eight others.

The U.S. Military described the strikes as part of a broader effort to "degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping" in the strait, a vital artery for global energy trade. The attacks followed Trump’s declaration that the U.S. Would "reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE" and "probably run" the strait, charging fees to cover "any and all costs necessary" for security. "We’re going to be reimbursed, because the other nations are very wealthy; they’re on our side," Trump told Fox News, framing the move as a reversal of decades of U.S. Policy supporting free navigation.

Iranian state media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, Kish Island, and other locations, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed attacks on U.S. Military facilities in Bahrain and Jordan. Bahrain sounded missile alert sirens for the third time in days, urging residents to seek shelter, though no immediate damage was reported. The IRGC also targeted the UAE’s Mombasa and Al Bahiyah tankers in the strait’s southern lane, killing an Indian national and injuring eight others, according to the Emirati Defense Ministry, which condemned the strikes as a "serious violation" of international law.

The escalating violence has sent oil prices surging, with Brent crude rising 2% to $84.98 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbing 2.1% to $79.79. Prices had fluctuated sharply in recent weeks amid fears of disrupted supply, with the strait’s strategic importance underscored by its role in carrying about 20% of global oil traffic. The U.S. And Iran have exchanged attacks since February, when tensions escalated following a series of strikes and counterstrikes.

Trump’s unilateral moves have drawn sharp criticism from international bodies and allies. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) reiterated that tolls on the strait violate international law, while U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warned of "catastrophic consequences" if tensions escalate further. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed Trump’s fee proposal as "too much" but suggested Tehran could charge "a fair" rate, emphasizing its historical role as the strait’s "guardian." "We will be fair," he wrote on social media, though he rejected U.S. Claims of control over the waterway.

The conflict has also strained regional alliances. Qatar condemned Iranian attacks on Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait, urging de-escalation, while the U.K. Announced plans to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization under new legislation. The U.S. Military, meanwhile, confirmed it had deployed sea drones for the first time in combat operations, targeting a submarine and ship maintenance facility at Bandar Abbas Naval Base. "Last night’s strikes degraded Iran’s ability to continue attacking commercial shipping," CENTCOM said, though Iran denied any significant damage.

Trump’s announcement of the blockade and tolls came amid a broader push to reassert U.S. Dominance in the region, following the collapse of a June memorandum of understanding that had temporarily eased tensions. The deal, which called for reopening the strait and addressing Iran’s nuclear program, has been undermined by repeated attacks and mutual accusations. Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed to "defend" the strait, comparing the struggle to an "existential battle" reminiscent of early Islamic history.

The U.S. Has also threatened to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, with Trump citing the "Pickaxe Mountain" site near Natanz as a potential target. "We’re going to take out Pickaxe Mountain," he told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, though the exact location and significance of the site remain unclear. Analysts warn that such moves could further destabilize the region, with the International Energy Agency noting that reduced traffic through the strait has already disrupted global markets.

As the conflict enters its third month, the path to de-escalation remains uncertain. Mediators including Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman continue efforts to revive talks, but Trump’s unilateral actions have complicated negotiations. The U.S. President, set to address the nation on Thursday, has framed the strait as a "very volatile section of the World" requiring American leadership, even as allies and international law challenge his approach. For now, the strait remains a flashpoint in a broader struggle for influence, with both sides preparing for further confrontation.