La tension between the United States and Iran it goes back up after a new night of attacks and reprisalsWashington launched new strikes against Iranian targets and announced the attack on an oil tanker headed for Kharg Island, while Tehran claimed attacks on American bases in several Middle Eastern countries.
The clash once again focuses on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime passages for oil and gas transportation, now the main front of the crisis. According to industry operators, non-Iranian vessel traffic has almost completely disappeared from the area. Some vessels still on the move have chosen to navigate without transmitting their position to reduce the risk of detection.
New US strikes against strategic targets in Iran. Missiles and drones targeted US bases.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that it has completed a new military operation against IranAccording to Washington, the strikes hit command centers, air defense systems, missile infrastructure, and drone-related facilities. Among the areas involved were Bandar Abbas, a major Iranian port overlooking the Strait of Hormuz. The United States' stated goal is to reduce Tehran's ability to threaten commercial traffic in the region.
The maritime front remains one of the most sensitive elements of the crisis. American forces have announced that they have stopped a oil tanker, the M/T Belma, accused of attempting to violate the naval blockade imposed against Iran. According to Centcom, the ship was headed towards Kharg Island, one of Iran's main oil terminals. After several warnings, it was reportedly hit by a US aircraft and rendered inoperable. The incident represents a new stage in the conflict, bringing the conflict directly to international trade routes.
Iran responded by claiming a series of attacks against American military facilities in the region. According to Iranian authorities, targets were hit in Jordan, Kuwait e Bahrain, including radar, Patriot systems and fuel depots.
Jordan said it intercepted eight missiles headed towards its territory without reporting any casualties or damage, while Kuwait said it neutralized Iranian missiles and drones.
Trump is considering new military operations
The American president Donald Trump is reportedly considering expanding its operations against Iran. According to what was reported by Wall Street Journal, among the options being considered would be new attacks against Iranian energy infrastructure, operations against underground facilities and a possible intervention on the island of Kharg: a strategic point for Iranian oil exports and military action in the area would represent a further leap in the quality of the conflict.
Trump said he did not want to set a deadline for Tehran, but added that Iran “knows it must behave”.
