Tanker Attacked in Strait of Hormuz; US Strikes Iran for Tenth Consecutive Night
Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed attacks on US military assets in Bahrain and Kuwait, and said it stopped two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the US conducted its tenth straight night of strikes on Iran, aiming to protect shipping through the strategic waterway.
On Tuesday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had struck US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait. State media reported that the IRGC hit two air defense systems and a radar at two US posts in Bahrain, as well as missile defense radars and satellite receiving systems in Kuwait.
The Guards also stated they stopped "two non-compliant oil tankers" attempting to cross the "unsafe southern route" of the Strait of Hormuz after explosions caused fires on the vessels. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a tanker off the coast of Oman near the strait was hit by an unknown projectile, forcing the crew to abandon ship.
US Continues Strikes
The US military announced it had completed its tenth consecutive night of strikes against Iran, targeting sites to degrade Tehran's ability to attack ships transiting the strait. CENTCOM stated that US forces struck Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems.
"American forces remain postured and prepared to hold Iran accountable for unwarranted aggression toward civilian mariners seeking to freely and openly transit the strait," the statement read.
Impact on Oil Prices
With fighting intensifying, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint for global oil and gas transport—has nearly halted, pushing oil prices higher. Brent crude rose 3.2% to $90.95 per barrel, while US benchmark crude climbed 2.8% to $84.04 per barrel.
Diplomatic Efforts
Despite the escalation, Pakistan, a key mediator in the conflict, appears to be pushing forward with diplomatic efforts. On Monday, Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni arrived in Islamabad for talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other officials. It remains unclear if the talks are linked to Pakistan's mediation.
A day earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signaled a willingness to open the door to diplomacy, telling reporters that the US is willing to negotiate with Iran but that any deal must be "real" and one Iran is "willing to live by."
