DUBAI, Jul 15: The United States on Wednesday reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports following Tehran’s attacks on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying military operations and further weakening an interim ceasefire aimed at ending the conflict.
The U.S. military simultaneously launched fresh strikes on multiple Iranian targets, while Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks targeting neighbouring Gulf states hosting American forces. Missile alerts were issued in Bahrain and Kuwait as regional tensions continued to mount.
The blockade, first imposed in April and lifted in June after a 60-day interim agreement on negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, was restored after talks stalled amid escalating clashes over the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz carries nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas shipments, making the confrontation a major threat to global energy supplies.
U.S. Central Command said its forces struck dozens of targets across Iran over seven hours. Commander Adm. Brad Cooper accused Tehran of endangering civilian lives through repeated attacks, while Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, described the United States as the aggressor.
President Donald Trump had initially proposed a 20 per cent fee on ships using the strait but withdrew the plan after consultations with Gulf allies, saying investment commitments from regional partners were a better alternative.
The U.S. currently has at least 19 warships, including two aircraft carriers, deployed in the Arabian Sea, backed by hundreds of military aircraft across the Middle East.
Fresh explosions were reported in Bushehr, Ahvaz and Bandar Abbas following the latest U.S. strikes. Regional mediators, led by Pakistan, are continuing efforts to revive negotiations and prevent the conflict from escalating into a wider regional war. (Agencies)
