US launches third night of strikes on Iran as Trump reinstates naval blockade

The United States completed its strikes against Iranian military targets for a third consecutive night which the military said it conducted over five-hour operation, while Iran retaliated with attacks on Gulf states, including missile strikes on two United Arab Emirates oil tankers and renewed attacks on Bahrain, escalating the conflict despite recent efforts to secure a ceasefire.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said late on Monday it had concluded a more than five-hour operation targeting Iranian missile and drone sites, coastal defense systems and maritime capabilities, including facilities near the ports of Bandar Abbas and Bushehr.

CENTCOM said the attacks hit Iran’s coastal defence systems, as well as missile and drone sites, while President Donald Trump said the campaign is aimed at further weakening Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

US military strikes against Iran have resumed after President Donald Trump formally notified Congress last week that operations restarted on July 7. The notification, submitted under the War Powers Act, gives the Pentagon up to 60 days to continue military action in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility without additional congressional authorization.

In a two-page letter sent to lawmakers on Friday, Trump said the renewed strikes comply with the War Powers Act, which requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of introducing U.S. armed forces into hostilities or situations where hostilities are imminent.

“United States ground forces are not involved in these strikes. These strikes are limited, measured, planned and executed in a manner designed to minimize civilian casualties,” The Hill reported that Trump wrote in the letter.

As far as the latest movve by Trump, he also announced that Washington would reinstate its naval blockade of Iranian ports beginning at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

Trump said the United States would act as a “guardian angel” for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and suggested imposing a 20% protection fee on shipping, although he did not provide details on how the charge would be implemented.

“We’re going to let everyone get through, except if you’re doing business with Iran,” Trump said in an interview with Newsmax.

But the objection came from the International Maritime Organization which said passage through the Strait of Hormuz should remain “free of tolls under international law.”

Trump’s proposal even contradicted Secretary of State Marco Rubio who had previously dismissed the idea of charging transit fees, describing it as “unworkable.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected Trump’s proposal, saying Iran, not the United States, had the authority to collect any fees for transit through the waterway.

“POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service. Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER.20% is of course too much. We will be fair,” Araghchi said.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, carries roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies and remains one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes.

Oil markets reacted sharply to the renewed tensions. Brent crude rose more than 7% to around $81.40 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed about 7% to approximately $76.50, both reaching their highest levels in about a month.

Iranian media reported explosions in the port city of Bandar Abbas and the islands of Kish, Qeshm and Abu Musa.

A tanker has reported being struck by a missile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz along the southern shipping route near Oman’s coastline, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Tuesday.

The attack was first reported to authorities on Monday, according to the maritime agency. UKMTO said the incident occurred about 13 nautical miles (15 miles) southeast of Limah, Oman, and remains under investigation.

UKMTO said another tanker had reported being hit by an “unknown projectile” 40 nautical miles (around 46 miles) northeast of Qalhat, Oman. “Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO,” the authority said.

Meanwhile, Iran expanded its retaliation overnight with the United Arab Emirates said two of its oil tankers, Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, were struck by Iranian cruise missiles while sailing through the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz inside Omani territorial waters.

The UAE Defense Ministry said one Indian crew member was killed and eight others were injured, including two Ukrainian nationals. Fires broke out aboard both vessels but were later brought under control.

The ministry described the attack as a serious violation of international law and said the UAE reserved the right to respond.

But Iran has not publicly commented on the reported tanker strikes.

Bahrain hosting the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet came under attack from Iran additional missile and drone attacks and sounded missile-alert sirens several times early Tuesday.

Authorities urged residents to seek shelter. There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage.

The IRGC said it had hit US military assets in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait – fuel tankers, fuel depots, several Patriot air defence missile systems, and satellite radars. The IRGC said it had hit a number of areas where US armed forces personnel are staying.

The renewed exchange of attacks has heightened concerns over the security of energy supplies and maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.