Tensions in the Middle East continued to escalate on Monday as the United States launched a new round of strikes against Iran at the direction of President Trump. The strikes, which began at 4 p.m. ET, are aimed at degrading Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Central Command stated that the strikes are designed to "hold Iran accountable" for its actions, which include targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz in violation of a signed memorandum of understanding. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway through which a significant portion of the world's oil supply passes.
The strikes follow a nine-day bombing streak against Iran, which was launched in response to the death of two U.S. service members killed in Iranian attacks. Iran has retaliated by targeting U.S. bases in the region, including in Jordan, where two U.S. service members were killed in action last week.
New attacks on commercial vessels occurred on Sunday and Monday near the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf of Oman, with one vessel being hit east of Dibba, UAE, and another off the coast of Kumzar, Oman. The attacks have been classified as attacks by a maritime agency, which said a vessel was struck by an unknown projectile that caused a fire on the ship.
The U.N. Secretary-General's spokesperson warned on Monday that the blockade imposed by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen risks an "even wider" regional conflict. The Houthis' armed forces described the blockade as a "maritime embargo" against the "criminal Saudi enemy," effective immediately.
President Trump has threatened that Iran will pay "many times over" for killing American troops and for continued hostilities. The U.S. is likely to retaliate with more strikes against Iran and its allies, with heavy strikes expected to continue in the region.
