Both sides claim control of the Strait of Hormuz as military action escalates across the Gulf

The United States and Iran exchanged another wave of military attacks as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz intensified, with both governments insisting they remain in control of one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.

The latest escalation followed a third consecutive night of US military strikes against Iran, only hours before a renewed US naval blockade targeting Iranian ports was due to take effect.

According to US Central Command, known as CENTCOM, the latest operation began at 4:45pm ET on Monday and continued for approximately five hours. The US military said the strikes were intended to reduce Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping and civilians operating in the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM stated that US forces struck military targets across several locations, including Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa and Bandar Abbas.

Iranian state television and semi-official news agencies reported explosions throughout the country’s southern coastline during the night. Reports described blasts in Bandar Abbas, on Kish and Qeshm islands, and in the town of Jam in Bushehr province.

According to the Fars news agency, a projectile hit western Bandar Abbas but caused no casualties, citing the regional governor’s office.

Iran also announced retaliatory military action. The Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian forces targeted several vessels it described as violating the Strait of Hormuz and claimed that a US-made drone had been shot down near Bandar Abbas.

The conflict also spread across the wider Gulf region.

The United Arab Emirates said two of its oil tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles while sailing in Omani waters within the Strait of Hormuz. UAE authorities said one Indian crew member was killed and eight other people were injured in the attack.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, said it had expanded its retaliation by targeting US allies and military interests across the Gulf.

Iran’s army announced it had carried out a drone attack against US military positions in Kuwait. State broadcaster IRIB reported that the operation targeted a Patriot missile system, fuel storage facilities, a watchtower, an ammunition depot and communications equipment.

The IRGC also claimed responsibility for attacks against al-Juffair Base in Bahrain, saying it struck weapons storage facilities, a satellite communications centre and a building housing US personnel. It further claimed to have launched missiles and drones towards the US Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain.

Jordan’s military said it intercepted four missiles that entered its airspace after being launched from Iran, according to the country’s official Petra news agency.

The military confrontation comes after US President Donald Trump formally informed Congress on 10 July that fighting with Iran had resumed on 7 July. The notification invoked presidential authority allowing US forces to remain engaged in combat operations for up to 60 days without congressional approval.

Senior Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticised the decision, arguing that Congress had previously voted to remove American forces from the conflict and calling on the president to comply with that decision.

Meanwhile, the US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Centre confirmed that a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports and terminals along the country’s southern coastline is scheduled to begin at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday.

Under the announced measures, vessels travelling to destinations outside Iran will still be permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Humanitarian shipments will also be allowed after inspection. However, ships suspected of helping Iran bypass the blockade through ship-to-ship transfers could face boarding, while vessels refusing to comply risk being disabled or destroyed.

The renewed fighting marks the collapse of a ceasefire reached in June under a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran.

The dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz also intensified politically. President Trump stated that the waterway remained open and announced a proposed 20% toll on cargo moving through the strait in exchange for US protection.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the claim, insisting that Iran has always protected the Strait of Hormuz and would continue to do so.