Trump renews Iran blockade and again threatens to take control of strait of Hormuz

What Happened

US Central Command launched a new wave of strikes against Iran at 9pm GMT on Sunday, stating on X that the attacks aimed to degrade Iran's ability to target commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump confirmed directing the strikes, saying 'We’re beating them up.' Centcom reported around 140 strikes on Saturday night and over 300 Iranian military targets across three nights. In parallel, Iran targeted US facilities across Gulf states on Sunday, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, with the UAE saying its air defences engaged missiles and drones. Iranian media reported missile attacks and explosions near the port cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas, as well as Qeshm Island, while Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed retaliatory strikes on Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar—claims not independently verified. Iran’s recently established Persian Gulf Strait Authority declared the strait closed to passage, citing 'illegal US military movements,' and warned vessels against transiting without authorisation. The US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Centre said an expanded southern route near Oman remained open for two-way traffic. The escalation unravels the interim US-Iranian truce signed last month, with Iran’s foreign ministry stating the strikes 'rendered futile' recent diplomatic efforts and Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, posting on X that 'the era of one-sided deals is OVER.'

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and LNG shipments, so any prolonged disruption drives up global energy prices and inflation—oil futures jumped over 3.5% on Monday. The collapse of the interim truce and the failure of Oman-mediated talks raise the risk of a wider regional conflict, drawing in Gulf states both as targets and mediators, and complicate the diplomatic landscape ahead of US congressional elections in November, where fuel prices are politically sensitive.

Watch For

Monitor whether the expanded southern shipping route remains viable, any further US or Iranian strikes, and whether Washington seeks alternative diplomatic channels before the November elections. Watch Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority for any signs of resuming transit permits, and track oil price movements and statements from Gulf capitals—particularly Qatar and the UAE—given their direct targeting and mediation roles.