Iran has escalated its military campaign in the Persian Gulf, launching a fresh barrage of missiles and drones against US military facilities in neighboring Gulf states.
Tehran announced on Sunday that it had once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying pressure on the world’s most critical energy chokepoint.
The renewed strikes follow a sharp deterioration in security conditions earlier this week, when Iranian forces targeted US infrastructure in the region.
Despite Iran’s repeated claims of closure, US military officials confirmed on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial traffic, contradicting Tehran’s assertions.
The escalation raises immediate concerns for global energy markets and shipping routes.
The Strait of Hormuz handles a significant portion of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports, and any sustained disruption could trigger severe supply shocks.