Fresh U.S. Military Strikes Target Iran, Straits of Hormuz Traffic Plummets

The United States launched a new round of strikes against Iran on Thursday, following several days of continuous airstrikes, as hostilities in the Middle East escalate, leading to a sharp decline in shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. Central Command stated that the latest military operation began at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, aiming to "further degrade Iranian military capabilities." Earlier, U.S. forces also struck an oil tanker near a major Iranian export terminal.

In response to the previous bombings, Iran launched attacks on U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Jordan. The Kuwaiti Armed Forces reported intercepting 32 Iranian attack drones targeting "vital" installations in the country, with falling debris causing damage in residential areas.

Despite warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump that strikes would escalate until Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, with Iranian power plants and bridges potentially becoming targets, Tehran appears unwilling to back down. The Strait of Hormuz has now become a focal point in this conflict.

On Thursday, Iran's official IRNA news agency quoted the spokesperson for the country's Central Military Command, stating that if the U.S. attacks Iranian infrastructure, "everything that has survived so far due to Iran's 'forbearance'—meaning all infrastructure in the region—will be completely destroyed."

According to informed sources, Iran has requested its Houthi allies in Yemen to block Red Sea oil shipping lanes if the U.S. attacks Iran's power grid.

An Iranian military spokesperson stated in a declaration, according to Iranian media, "As long as the United States does not accept Iran's legal system, the strait will remain closed." This statement may refer to Tehran's requirement for vessels to obtain Iranian permission before transiting the Strait of Hormuz and to comply with rules set by Iran, including payment of any service fees.

Ship-tracking data indicates that currently, observable commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is minimal, with transits mainly limited to Iran-related vessels using the northern route approved by Tehran. Nevertheless, there continue to be signs that some oil tankers are crossing while having their location transponders turned off.