U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged heavy missile and drone strikes on Sunday, marking a sharp escalation in the Gulf after Tehran said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz and targeted U.S.-linked facilities across the region.
The latest escalation followed several days of attacks between the two sides, which led President Donald Trump to declare that the ceasefire meant to halt the U.S.- and Israel-launched campaign against Iran was over. Trump, however, has left open the possibility of continued negotiations.
Tensions rose further after a series of incidents involving commercial ships near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said it had closed the waterway after firing a warning shot that struck a vessel travelling on what Tehran described as an unapproved route. On Sunday, Iran said it had disabled a second vessel and warned that the strait would remain closed until “the end of U.S. interference in this region.”
U.S. Central Command disputed Iran’s claim that the waterway was closed, saying commercial vessels were still transiting through the strait, which carried about one-fifth of the world’s oil and LNG shipments before the war.
Central Command said U.S. forces struck 140 Iranian military targets on Saturday and more than 300 targets over three nights. It said the strikes were intended to weaken Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels moving through the strait.
Iranian state media reported explosions in several port cities. In response, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had attacked a command and control centre and drone hangars in Jordan, targeted a U.S. radar site in Kuwait, struck aircraft carrier support and refuelling platforms in Oman, and hit a jet maintenance centre and command facility in Qatar.
Qatar said three people, including a child, were injured by falling shrapnel from the attack. The United Arab Emirates said its defence systems engaged Iranian missiles and drones, while warning sirens sounded in Bahrain and explosions were heard in Doha, Reuters reported.
The strike on Qatar was especially sensitive because Doha has played a central role in mediation efforts between the United States and Iran. Qatar has previously said it would not act as a mediator while it was under attack.
The renewed fighting has deepened instability across the Gulf and raised fears over global energy supplies. Iran’s claimed closure of the Strait of Hormuz has already pushed energy prices higher, adding pressure to global inflation and creating a political risk for Trump ahead of November’s congressional elections.
