Iran attacks Gulf states, shuts Hormuz after US strikes intensify

The Middle East is facing a severe escalation of conflict as Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks against multiple Gulf countries following a series of intense US airstrikes. On July 12, 2026, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the indefinite closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) chokepoint, further exacerbating regional and international tensions. These events unfolded after the United States conducted at least three rounds of airstrikes on Iranian targets, primarily on July 11th and 12th. US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that these strikes hit approximately 140 Iranian military targets, including missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, ammunition storage facilities, communication networks, and coastal surveillance locations. The US stated these actions were in response to Iran's attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, notably striking a Cyprus-registered container ship, the M/V GFS Galaxy, which resulted in a civilian crew member missing and significant damage, and later disabling a second vessel. In a swift and broad retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting several Gulf nations. Reports indicate that Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) all came under attack. Iran explicitly stated that these attacks aimed at US interests and military bases located within these countries, asserting that any nation allowing its territory to be used for aggression against Iran would be considered a legitimate target. The UAE Ministry of Defense reported that its air defense systems were triggered, engaging incoming missile and drone threats, though they stated these threats were detected outside the country's borders. In Qatar, air raid sirens sounded, and three people, including a child, were reportedly injured by falling shrapnel. Kuwait's army also confirmed intercepting hostile aerial targets. Oman and Bahrain likewise reported attacks and activated air defenses. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz by the IRGC is a critical development, with the IRGC stating the waterway would remain inaccessible "until further notice" and "until the end of US interference in this region." This decision was reportedly made after the IRGC fired a warning shot at a vessel deemed to be using an unauthorized route. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most vital maritime chokepoints, with approximately one-fifth of all globally traded oil and LNG typically transiting through it. Its closure has immediate and severe implications for global energy markets, with historical precedents showing oil prices rising significantly during periods of geopolitical friction in the region. Some reports indicate crude oil prices had already reached approximately $120 per barrel amidst the escalating conflict. This renewed and intensified exchange of fire critically undermines a temporary ceasefire arrangement, structured as a memorandum of understanding (MOU), that was signed between the US and Iran in June 2026. Efforts to de-escalate tensions and progress peace negotiations, which had been underway, now face significant challenges. International condemnation of the Iranian attacks has been widespread, with countries like Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia condemning the actions as dangerous escalations that violate sovereignty and threaten regional stability. The broader context includes a protracted US-Israel war on Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, aimed at eliminating Iran as a regional threat. The recent US strikes follow previous attacks that reportedly killed 17 people and injured 115 in Iran earlier this week, according to Iran's Ministry of Health. The current Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed vengeance for the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, allegedly by US and Israeli forces. The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides demonstrating a readiness for further military action, posing ongoing threats to maritime security and regional stability.

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