US reinstates naval blockade on Iran after shipping attacks

The United States has reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and launched new military strikes, accusing Iran of a deliberate campaign of attacks on commercial shipping in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz that has killed and injured civilian crew members. The dramatic escalation on July 14 follows the collapse of a fragile ceasefire and has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that over the past week, Iranian forces have intentionally targeted seven commercial vessels, resulting in nearly a dozen civilian crew members killed, missing, or injured. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said Iranian forces have also launched dozens of missiles and drones toward neighboring Gulf countries, and that U.S. forces are holding Iran accountable for what he called unwarranted aggression.

The immediate trigger was an attack on two UAE-flagged oil tankers, the MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, in the Strait of Hormuz. The United Arab Emirates Defense Ministry confirmed the vessels were hit by Iranian cruise missiles while in Omani territorial waters. The attack killed one crew member and...