Military tensions between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz have escalated, with both sides threatening new military operations against each other, deepening concerns about security in the Middle East and international shipping.
The US Central Command (Centcom) said that new airstrikes were carried out on various locations in Iran on Monday (July 13). The US claims that the operation was carried out to ensure the safety of civilian ships and international commercial waterways in the Strait of Hormuz. On the other hand, according to Iranian state media, explosions occurred in several areas in the provinces of Bandar Abbas, Kish, Qeshm and Bushehr. At the same time, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have raided several ships in the Strait of Hormuz and shot down a US-made drone.
Meanwhile, Iran said it had retaliated against US military installations and targets in the Gulf region. The country’s state media claimed that a drone attack had been carried out on a US military installation in Kuwait. The United Arab Emirates also said that two of its oil tankers had been damaged in the Strait of Hormuz, adjacent to the Gulf of Oman. An Indian sailor was killed and several others were injured in the incident.
In addition to the conflict, the two countries are also engaged in a diplomatic dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz and international shipping. While the United States has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the security of the Strait, Iran has said it will continue to play a role in protecting international waterways. The ongoing tensions have also had an impact on the international energy market. In the latest transactions, the price of Brent crude oil rose significantly to around $81 per barrel, indicating renewed instability in the market.