U.S. forces launched fresh strikes in southern Iran near Bandar Abbas, targeting a military site Washington says threatened American troops and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Reuters reported the strike focused on an Iranian position linked to drone operations and regional attacks. U.S. forces also intercepted and destroyed several drones launched from Iran.
According to Axios, Iran earlier fired four one way attack drones toward an American commercial ship operating near the Strait of Hormuz. All four drones were shot down by U.S. forces.
After intercepting the drones, the U.S. military carried out another strike on an Iranian drone launch unit in southern Iran before more drones could be launched.
CNN reported that U.S. officials described the targeted location as a direct threat to U.S. forces and global commercial shipping routes in the region.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority, the body managing shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz, over alleged links to Iran’s IRGC under counterterrorism rules.
The sanctions mean global shipping companies could face secondary U.S. sanctions if they pay tolls or fees to the Iranian authority, creating major pressure on Iran’s proposed Hormuz control system.
Iranian media later claimed four vessels tried to cross the Strait of Hormuz without permission and were forced to turn back after Iranian naval forces fired warning shots.
Iran’s parliamentary National Security Board said Tehran will not retreat because of President Trump’s remarks and will defend its red lines, including uranium enrichment, enriched uranium stockpiles, control of Hormuz, and sanctions removal.
President Trump said he was unhappy with the progress of U.S.-Iran talks, rejected the proposed Iran-Oman Hormuz management arrangement, and said the U.S. is not considering sanctions relief for Iran at this stage.
Update: IRGC Warns U.S. After Retaliatory Strike
Iran’s IRGC said it targeted a U.S. airbase at 4:50 AM in response to an American strike near Bandar Abbas Airport earlier in the day. The group warned that any future attacks would face a much stronger response and said responsibility for further escalation lies with the U.S.
WTI crude rose above $90 per barrel while Brent climbed near $97 as U.S.-Iran talks remained stuck and fresh U.S. strikes on Iran raised fears over Hormuz shipping disruptions. Gasoline and heating oil also gained, while natural gas and coal slipped.
Markets remain volatile as Iran pushes to keep control over the Strait of Hormuz and protect its nuclear program, while President Trump rejected sanctions relief and warned against a “bad deal.” Despite the rally, oil is still heading for a second straight weekly decline on hopes of a future peace agreement and reopening of the strait.
Kuwait on Alert
Kuwait’s air defenses intercepted hostile missiles and drones after nationwide sirens sounded following suspected Iranian ballistic missile launches. The military said explosion sounds came from interception systems, while the IRGC claimed responsibility for attacks targeting a U.S. base in Kuwait.
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