US reinstates Strait of Hormuz blockade amid Iran conflict
12 reported3 unconfirmed2 conflicting
President Donald Trump announced the US is reinstating a naval blockade of Iranian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, stating that Iranian vessels and their customers will no longer be allowed to enter or leave through the waterway. Trump said the US would charge a 20% fee on all cargo shipped through the strait, calling the US "The guardian of the Hormuz strait." The announcement followed another major exchange of fire between US and Iranian forces, with the US military reporting it carried out strikes on Iran and Iran's Guards saying they targeted US facilities in the region. The US Central Command said its forces struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility at Iran's Bandar Abbas Naval Base using sea drones for the first time in combat. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it struck multiple targets, including the Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, the Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan, and US bases in Kuwait. The United Nations Secretary-General expressed deep concern over the escalation, including Iranian attacks on ships and US attacks on Iran. Several regional countries reported intercepting or responding to hostile aerial targets, including Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
What’s reported
President Trump said the US is reinstating a naval blockade of Iranian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said the US would charge a 20% fee on all cargo shipped through the strait.
The US military's Central Command said it struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility at Iran's Bandar Abbas Naval Base using sea drones.
CENTCOM said three Corsair unmanned surface vessels hit the port facility, marking the first combat use of sea drones by US forces.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it struck the Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, the Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan, and US bases in Kuwait.
Iran's IRGC said it destroyed radar systems in Oman.
Jordan said it shot down four Iranian missiles, with no casualties reported.
Kuwait's armed forces said they were intercepting hostile aerial targets within Kuwaiti airspace.
Bahrain's military accused Iran of targeting civilians, contradicting Tehran's claim of hitting only military sites.
One person died and four were injured in a US strike on a water pumping station in the Iranian city of Mahshahr, according to Iran's IRNA news agency.
The UN Secretary-General expressed deep concern at the serious escalation of renewed military confrontation in the Gulf region.
Yemen's internationally recognized government claimed an attack on Sanaa's airport to stop an Iranian plane carrying Houthi rebels from landing.
Conflicting accounts
Bahrain's military accused Iran of targeting civilians, while Iran claimed it had hit only military sites.
Yemen's Houthis claimed Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on Sanaa's airport, while Yemen's internationally recognized government said it carried out the attack.
Open questions
Whether Iran will comply with the recent memorandum of understanding signed with the US, as Iran's Foreign Ministry said it would not if Washington did not stick by its commitments.
Whether Oman will confirm or deny Iran's claim that it destroyed radar systems in Omani territory.
Whether the US will confirm or deny the reported strike on a water pumping station in Mahshahr.
Key figures
President Donald Trump (United States)
Antonio Guterres (United Nations Secretary-General)
Stephane Dujarric (UN spokesman)
Esmaeil Baghaei (Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson)
Yahya Saree (Houthi military spokesman)
Valiollah Hayati (Khuzestan province's deputy governor for security and law enforcement)
Sources: dw.com
