US bombs Iran again, Tehran strikes Gulf, tankers: What’s the latest?

What Happened

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, targeting military infrastructure in Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas. CENTCOM stated these operations, which concluded after five hours on Monday, were intended to degrade Iranian capabilities to threaten commercial shipping. In retaliation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian army launched strikes across the Gulf. The IRGC reported targeting US facilities at al-Juffair Base in Bahrain and the US Fifth Fleet, while the Iranian army claimed drone strikes against US military assets in Kuwait. Additionally, the UAE confirmed that two of its oil tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in one death and eight injuries among the crew. Jordan’s military reported intercepting four Iranian missiles in its airspace, while the IRGC claimed to have targeted US forces at a Jordanian airbase.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The direct military exchanges between the United States and Iran, coupled with the targeting of oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, represent a significant escalation in regional hostilities. The disruption of shipping, evidenced by a 52 percent drop in transit through the strait between July 10 and July 12, has already triggered a 9 percent increase in Brent crude prices, threatening global energy security.

Watch For

Monitor the implementation of the US-led naval blockade of Iranian ports and terminals, scheduled to commence at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday. Additionally, track the progress of the 'Strategic Action for the Security and Sustainable Progress of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf' bill in the Iranian Parliament and any further developments regarding the US combat authorization period expiring in 60 days.