Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said it struck 18 targets [1] at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan on Thursday.
The escalation threatens global energy security and increases the risk of a direct military conflict between the U.S. and Iran. Because the Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint, any disruption to traffic can trigger immediate volatility in global markets.
The IRGC said it has fully closed the Strait of Hormuz and warned all ships to stay away from the area [1]. This closure serves as retaliation against perceived U.S. aggression, with the IRGC saying it would continue striking as long as U.S. attacks persist [1].
Reports of explosions have emerged from southern Iran and areas near Tehran [1], [2]. These reports follow claims that U.S. forces fired precision munitions at targets within Iran [3].
The strategic importance of the waterway is significant, as approximately 20 percent [5] of the world's oil and natural gas is shipped through the Strait of Hormuz during peacetime. The announcement of the closure has already contributed to a jump in oil prices and a decline in Asian stocks [3].
While the IRGC maintains the strait is fully closed, some reports have questioned whether the waterway was already restricted prior to this announcement [4]. The U.S. military has not yet provided a full accounting of the damage at the bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
“The IRGC said it hit 18 targets at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.”
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is a high-stakes economic lever. By restricting one of the world's most vital oil transit points, Iran can exert pressure on the international community to curtail U.S. military actions. The simultaneous strikes on regional bases indicate a shift from proxy conflict to direct confrontation, potentially forcing a realignment of U.S. troop presence in the Gulf.
