The United States military has launched a fresh wave of airstrikes against targets in Iran. The attacks happened after a sudden surge in fighting around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital sea lane used for moving the world’s oil supplies.
This new fighting has broken a temporary peace agreement between Washington and Tehran. The conflict, which began in late February, has already caused major problems for the global economy.
According to the US military command, the newest strikes began late on Sunday evening. This followed a massive wave of about 140 attacks the night before. Iranian state media confirmed that US bombs hit several areas in southern and western Iran, including a key port city and islands near the shipping lane.
Global oil prices went up immediately because of the new fighting. In morning trading on Monday, oil prices jumped by more than 3.5 per cent, with the US benchmark oil price rising above $74 a barrel.
The trouble started early on Sunday when an Iranian attack set a commercial cargo ship on fire in the Strait of Hormuz. The crew was forced to jump into lifeboats to escape. Following the attack, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced that they would close the shipping route until the US stops interfering in the region.
However, the US military countered by saying the route is fully open and that American forces are ready to protect ships passing through. They stated that Iran does not control the waterway.
The fighting has quickly spread to involve other nearby countries:
Kuwait reported that its border posts were hit and an offshore oil drilling platform was attacked by a drone, injuring one worker.
Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE all reported sirens or explosions. Oman took the rare step of formally protesting to the Iranian ambassador.
Jordan confirmed that three Iranian missiles landed inside its territory.
The attacks have also caused casualties. Iranian media reported that a communications worker was killed on an island, and another person died at a water pumping station. Meanwhile, search teams are looking for one Indian sailor who went missing from the cargo ship that was set on fire.
This sudden rise in violence comes after US President Donald Trump declared that a previous ceasefire was over. Donald Trump also warned over the weekend that if Iran tried to assassinate him, the US would completely destroy the country. Meanwhile, Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has promised revenge against the US for the killing of his father at the start of the war.
As the situation worsens, international leaders are calling for calm. The United Nations and officials from neighbouring countries like Pakistan are urging both sides to stop the attacks and use talking instead of fighting to solve the problem.
