US strikes Iran; Tehran closes Strait of Hormuz
Washington targets Qeshm Island and coastal cities in retaliation for aggression, while Tehran declares the strategic chokepoint closed to all vessel traffic.
The United States has launched military strikes against multiple targets in Iran at the direction of President Donald Trump, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. The US military described the late Wednesday operations as a response to “Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression,” targeting locations including Qeshm Island and the cities of Bandar Abbas, Sirik, and Kargan along the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media confirmed explosions at these sites, with at least two people wounded in Kargan.
In direct response to the strikes, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to all vessels until further notice. The military command stated that all traffic in the vital waterway, including oil tankers and commercial ships, would be affected. The IRGC accused the United States of “repeated violations” of an April ceasefire and firmly rejected previous US claims that American forces had facilitated safe passage for ships through the strait.
The IRGC subsequently reported that two oil tankers attempting to transit the waterway were hit. However, US Central Command contradicted initial Iranian assertions regarding naval engagements, confirming that no US warships had been struck and noting that commercial ships continue to transit the area. The closure represents a severe disruption to global energy supplies, given the strait’s role as a critical chokepoint for international oil trade.
The escalation follows a previous exchange of fire over the downing of a US Army AH-64 Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night. President Trump had issued a statement on Tuesday accusing Iran of the downing and vowing a necessary response. Earlier in the week, Trump had met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where discussions included trade, artificial intelligence, and security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Political rhetoric from both sides hardened as the military actions unfolded. President Trump stated that the US was “really close to a deal” with Iran but accused Tehran of “stringing us along.” Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned Trump’s threats on X, describing them as a sign of desperation and affirming Iran’s resolve to stand firm against pressure. The incident adds to a backdrop of intensified regional conflict, including prior Israeli strikes against military targets in western and central Iran.
