Abu Dhabi — WAM; World capitals — Agencies
The escalation between the United States and Iran entered a broader new phase as the American blockade of Iranian ports took effect, following three consecutive nights of strikes targeting military, naval, defensive, and oil facilities inside Iran.
US President Donald Trump declared that the Strait of Hormuz is now open to all vessel traffic except Iran, announcing he was reversing a proposed 20% levy on transit through the strait.
Tehran meanwhile continued its attacks on Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait, while the United Arab Emirates condemned the renewed Iranian aggressive attacks targeting Bahrain and Jordan with missiles and drones.
The United States began enforcing the blockade on Iranian ports and coastal facilities at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday GMT, in a move aimed at preventing Iran-linked vessels from entering or leaving its ports, in parallel with ongoing military operations led by US Central Command.
Trump said in a post on Truth Social that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all ships except Iran, accusing the Iranian leadership of "lying, practicing violence, and taking the path of total destruction," adding that oil is "flowing like never before" thanks to what he described as the "tremendous power of the United States military."
The US president announced that the United States would impose a "complete blockade," but said it would be limited to vessels heading to or from Iranian ports, or carrying any Iran-linked cargo. He announced his reversal of the proposed 20% transit fee for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, citing productive talks with Middle Eastern leaders.
Earlier, in a move reflecting the conflict's transition to a new phase, Trump sent a formal notification to Congress stating that military operations against Iran had resumed as of July 7.
He argued that Tehran had violated the memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 by attacking navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which necessitated the resumption of military operations. The US administration says the notification opens a new 60-day window for the use of military force, while lawmakers in Congress dispute this interpretation.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its forces carried out a five-hour military operation targeting military sites in Bushehr, Chabahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa Island, and Bandar Abbas, in the third consecutive night of strikes.
CENTCOM confirmed that forces used precision-guided munitions against air defence systems, coastal radars, missile and drone launch sites, and Iranian naval capabilities, with the aim of undermining Tehran's ability to threaten navigation and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The strikes subsequently extended to the coastal city of Bushehr and to Khuzestan Province in southwestern Iran, targeting areas in Abadan and Mahshahr that contain oil refining and petrochemical facilities, while Iranian media reported hearing successive explosions in the vicinity of Bandar Abbas.
In a new military development, CENTCOM announced the use of unmanned attack boats for the first time in targeting an Iranian naval facility, signalling an expansion of the tools employed in military operations.
On Tuesday evening, official Iranian media reported hearing the sound of an explosion in the city of Andimeshk in Khuzestan Province in the south of the country.
Iran's Al-Alam television also reported that the islands of Qeshm and Kish in southern Iran came under American bombardment on Tuesday evening. State television said Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, which belongs to Hormozgan Province, was struck by several projectiles. Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that strikes hit near the Kish Island power station, causing damage to electricity and water infrastructure on the island.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Iran with a decisive military response if Israel were targeted again, saying that "the days when someone strikes us and we do not respond are over," and affirming that Israel would deliver "a powerful blow" if it came under any new attack.
Dutch shipping company Stolt Tankers announced on Tuesday that one of its vessels had come under attack off the coast of Oman in the Arabian Sea. Stolt Tankers, operator of the tanker Stolt Magnesium, said a fire broke out on the vessel following the "explosion of an unknown external device" while sailing in the Arabian Sea off the Omani coast.
Iran continued its attacks on countries in the region, as Bahrain's General Command of the Defence Force announced that its air defence systems intercepted, engaged, and destroyed a number of Iranian aggressive aerial attacks that targeted the country on multiple occasions on Tuesday.
Bahrain affirmed that Iran is continuing its systematic hostile approach through its sinful attacks targeting civilians in the Kingdom of Bahrain, stressing that the deliberate use of missiles and drones to target civilians and private property constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.
In Jordan, the General Command of the Armed Forces announced the interception and downing of 4 missiles that entered Jordanian airspace from Iranian territory, with no casualties or material damage reported.
The Jordanian Armed Forces affirmed that any attempt to compromise the Kingdom's sovereignty or violate its airspace would be met with full firmness, and that it would not hesitate to take all necessary measures to protect the homeland and defend its security and stability.
The Kuwaiti army also announced on Tuesday evening that its forces were engaging hostile aerial targets within Kuwaiti airspace. The General Staff said that "any explosion sounds heard are the result of air defence systems intercepting hostile attacks." The statement added: "Everyone is urged to comply with the security and safety instructions issued by the competent authorities."
The Kuwaiti army had earlier on Tuesday announced that it had repelled similar attacks.
The United Arab Emirates condemned in the strongest terms the renewed Iranian aggressive attacks that targeted the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with missiles and drones.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a communiqué that these aggressive attacks represent a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the sisterly states and a threat to their security and stability. The ministry reiterated the UAE's full solidarity with the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and its support for them in everything that would preserve their security and stability.
The UAE also condemned in the strongest terms the attacks launched by the Houthi terrorist militia targeting the southern region of Saudi Arabia with ballistic missiles.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a communiqué that these attacks represent a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a threat to its security and stability. The ministry affirmed the UAE's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support in everything that would preserve its security and stability.
Oman's Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that it continues its transparent and neutral cooperation with all parties to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, in full conformity with international law, calling on all parties to respect and act in accordance with international law.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi called for the establishment of a permanent framework to guarantee freedom of navigation in the strait, arguing that recent developments have demonstrated the need to revisit the security architecture of the Gulf region and build more sustainable arrangements for the security of maritime corridors.
China meanwhile called on the United States and Iran to restore normal and safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, expressing concern over the resumption of military conflict in the Gulf and affirming its readiness to contribute to de-escalation efforts.
While Washington has kept the door open to a diplomatic track, the entry of the American blockade into effect, the widening of military strikes, and the continuation of Iranian attacks on regional states indicate that the confrontation has moved to a more escalatory phase, placing the memorandum of understanding signed between Washington and Tehran on June 17 before its most serious test since it was concluded.