US and Iran escalate conflict as naval blockade and strikes shatter ceasefire
A 90-minute US strike campaign coincides with reimposed port blockade, prompting IRGC retaliation and diplomatic stalemate despite recent interim deal.
The United States military launched a 90-minute wave of daytime strikes against Iranian coastal defence systems and missile sites on 15 July 2026, marking a significant escalation in the conflict over the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command confirmed the operation began at 6 a.m. ET (1100 GMT) and utilised precision munitions to degrade Iran’s capacity to attack commercial shipping. The strikes, which targeted locations on Greater Tunb Island and Hengam Island, coincided with the reimposition of a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) struck US military targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. Tehran also issued a threat to halt regional energy exports, stating that the US must prepare for the closure of all export corridors benefiting American allies. The escalation occurred despite an interim ceasefire deal signed the previous month, which was intended to facilitate negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme and establish a permanent truce.
Diplomatic channels have effectively stalled following the renewed hostilities. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told Tasnim news agency that there were “no plans for negotiations at the moment,” accusing the US of breaching the interim ceasefire. He stated that Iran would refrain from fulfilling its own commitments under the deal as long as the US continued to violate its obligations.
Casualty reports from Iran indicate significant losses on both military and civilian fronts. The Iranian army reported that at least seven active-duty and conscript personnel were killed in overnight US strikes on the Bampur military base in southeast Iran. Additionally, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani stated that at least 30 civilians had died in recent days due to US strikes on southern Iran.
President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Tehran, threatening to target Iranian power plants and bridges if negotiations do not resume. While Trump previously floated the idea of a 20% shipping fee, he scrapped the proposal on Tuesday in favour of seeking investment deals with Gulf states. Meanwhile, shipping data indicated an uptick in Iran-linked vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz before the blockade took effect, with the US redirecting two commercial vessels that tried to breach the restrictions.
