By Elsie Kamsiyochi
The conflict between the United States and Iran has entered one of its most dangerous phases yet, with both sides exchanging large-scale missile and drone attacks across the Middle East. The latest escalation has spread beyond Iran and Israel, drawing several Gulf nations into the conflict and raising fresh fears about regional stability, global energy supplies, and the future of diplomatic efforts aimed at ending months of fighting.
Iran announced that it had once again closed the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes, following a series of confrontations involving commercial vessels. Tehran declared that the waterway would remain closed until what it described as the “end of U.S. interference” in the region, despite repeated assurances from the United States that international shipping routes remain open and protected.
The latest hostilities followed an intensive U.S. military campaign targeting Iranian military infrastructure. According to U.S. Central Command, American forces struck more than 300 Iranian military targets over three days, including command centers, missile launch facilities, drone bases, and naval installations. U.S. officials said the operation was designed to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and attack vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran responded with a wave of retaliatory missile and drone strikes targeting U.S. military facilities and allied infrastructure across the Gulf. Iranian officials claimed they struck command centers in Jordan, radar installations in Kuwait, logistical facilities supporting U.S. naval forces in Oman, and military sites in Qatar. The attacks also prompted air defense responses in Bahrain, while the United Arab Emirates reported detecting missile threats approaching its airspace.
Qatar confirmed that three people, including a child, were injured after debris from intercepted missiles fell in populated areas. The Qatari government condemned the attacks and stated that Iran bears full legal responsibility for the incident. Oman also protested after drones targeted two locations inside the country, summoning Iran’s ambassador while urging restraint from all parties.
The renewed fighting has severely undermined hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough. Just weeks earlier, Washington and Tehran had reached an interim agreement intended to reduce hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and create a framework for further negotiations. However, that fragile arrangement has rapidly deteriorated as both sides accuse each other of violating commitments.
U.S. President Donald Trump has recently declared that he considers the ceasefire effectively over, although he has continued to signal that negotiations remain possible if Iran changes course. Meanwhile, Iranian leaders insist that future agreements will only be possible if the United States honors previous commitments and ends military operations in the region.
The situation at sea has become increasingly dangerous. Iranian authorities reported firing warning shots at vessels they claimed were traveling through unauthorized routes before announcing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran later said it had disabled another vessel attempting to transit the waterway.
One of the most serious maritime incidents involved the container ship GFS Galaxy, which came under attack off the coast of Oman. Indian officials confirmed that one Indian crew member remains missing following the attack, while Omani authorities said 23 other crew members were rescued. In response to the worsening security situation, Qatar advised all vessels—including commercial ships, fishing boats, leisure craft, and jet skis—to suspend maritime activities until further notice.
Despite Iran’s declaration, the U.S. military maintains that freedom of navigation continues. U.S. Central Command stated that Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz and emphasized that commercial shipping remains possible under military protection. The U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center also advised shipping companies that an expanded southern navigation corridor near Oman remains available for vessels traveling through the region, although security risks remain extremely high.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important waterways, handling roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before the conflict erupted earlier this year. Continued disruptions have pushed energy prices sharply higher, increasing transportation costs and adding inflationary pressure to economies around the world.
The conflict traces back to the U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran that began on February 28, triggering months of escalating military exchanges, attacks on commercial shipping, and repeated diplomatic efforts that have so far failed to produce a lasting peace.
Iranian state media reported explosions in several port cities following the latest U.S. strikes and said an Iranian army officer was killed during the attacks. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have continued to issue defiant warnings. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, one of Iran’s senior negotiators, posted on social media that “the era of one-sided deals is over,” warning that countries failing to honor their commitments would “pay the price.”
As military operations continue across the Gulf, international leaders are increasingly concerned that the conflict could expand even further. With commercial shipping under threat, energy markets under pressure, and diplomatic negotiations on the verge of collapse, the crisis has become one of the most significant security challenges facing the Middle East and the global economy.
Source Reuters
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