The United States military has completed a new round of airstrikes against Iran, targeting approximately 140 sites including missile and drone launch facilities.
The operation, which began at 6 a.m. local time, was confirmed by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on social media, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
This development follows a brief period of de-escalation after a US-Iran ceasefire pact was announced earlier in July, which had previously cooled oil prices as markets digested the prospect of reduced geopolitical risk.
The strikes targeted military installations and infrastructure linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to reports.
The operation lasted approximately five hours, with CENTCOM stating that the attacks were designed to degrade Iran's offensive capabilities.
The confirmation of these strikes comes as a sharp reversal to the market sentiment that had emerged following the ceasefire agreement, which had led to a notable decline in energy prices and a reduction in risk premiums across global markets.
For traders, the immediate implication is a repricing of geopolitical risk in energy markets.
Brent crude, which had softened in the wake of the ceasefire, is likely to face renewed upside pressure as investors assess the potential for supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.