The United States launched fresh airstrikes against Iranian targets on July 12, 2026 [2], marking the second consecutive night of attacks [1].
This escalation threatens global energy markets and maritime security, as the closure of one of the world's most critical oil transit points could trigger a surge in crude-oil prices.
President Donald Trump said, "We are reinstating a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz." The U.S. military operations targeted Iranian air defenses and command-and-control facilities. Other reports indicate the strikes hit the Qeshm port and Bandar Abbas.
Iran responded to the military action by restricting maritime traffic. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said, "Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels." While some reports suggest the strait remains open for navigation, the official Iranian stance indicates a total shutdown of the waterway.
The U.S. actions are a retaliation for recent Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in the Gulf. The administration aims to pressure the Islamic Republic of Iran by controlling the flow of oil, and shipping through the region.
A Pentagon spokesperson said, "The United States will continue to defend our forces and allies in the region."
U.S. forces focused their operations on the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. The conflict follows a period of heightened tension and previous violations of ceasefires in the area.
“"We are reinstating a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz."”
The simultaneous imposition of a U.S. blockade and an Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz creates a high-risk bottleneck for global energy supplies. Because a significant portion of the world's seaborne oil passes through this narrow corridor, any prolonged disruption likely leads to immediate volatility in global crude prices and complicates international diplomatic efforts to prevent a full-scale regional war.
