The Middle East is growing increasingly volatile as missile and drone strikes escalate, with the Strait of Hormuz as the focal point of tension. Early Wednesday, the US military reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports, while Iran launched the latest wave of retaliatory strikes targeting eight US bases across the region, including in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain. Missile alert warnings went out in Bahrain and Kuwait due to incoming Iranian fire.
Iran's Eighth Phase of 'Saeqeh' Operation
According to Al Jazeera, the Iranian army identified the attack as the eighth phase of its “Saeqeh” operation. The army also said explosive drones targeted areas housing F-18 fighter jets and large equipment hangars at Jordan’s Azraq airbase for the second time.
US Blockade and Tariff Threats
US President Donald Trump on Monday announced the return of the blockade on Iranian ports. He also stated that the US would impose a 20 per cent cargo charge on all other vessels, a statement he later rescinded. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatened to halt all energy exports from the Middle East. “The export of oil and gas from the region will be either for everyone or for no one,” Al Jazeera quotes the IRGC as saying.
US Airstrikes Kill Seven Iranian Soldiers
The US carried out another wave of strikes on Tuesday night, targeting dozens of sites in Iran over seven hours. At least seven Iranian soldiers were killed in the attack, which the Iranian government has described as “cowardly aggression.” It also swore to respond, saying, “a decisive response will be given to this crime at the appropriate time.” The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it targeted Iranian missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, as well as its coastal defence systems during the seven-hour wave. It disclosed that it aimed to “further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian crews.” The Iranian Ministry of Health reported that more than 260 people had also been injured in the recent US strikes.
Trump Threatens Civilian Infrastructure
US President Donald Trump has threatened to attack Iran’s civilian infrastructure if there is no deal by next week. “Next week, it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges. We’re going to knock out all their power plants. We’re going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate,” he told Fox News.
