Iran, Gulf hit as Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb close: What’s the latest? | US-Israel war on Iran News
Conflict Escalates in Middle East Amid Growing Naval Tensions
The conflict in the Middle East intensified Tuesday as two oil tankers carrying Saudi crude oil to Asia turned back in the Red Sea. This maneuver followed the announcement of a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia by Yemen’s Houthi movement.
The closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical gateway connecting the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, raises concerns for global trade, especially as disruptions continue in the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel engagements with Iran.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that it has conducted its 11th consecutive night of strikes against Iranian targets. CENTCOM stated the operations focused on Iranian military centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, and drone storage facilities aimed at degrading Iran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Reports indicate that Iran has attacked over 30 commercial vessels in the Strait over the past three months. Iranian officials stated that U.S. missile strikes targeted areas near Behbahan and Omidiyeh in Khuzestan province and hit military installations on the outskirts of Tabriz.
In Tehran, explosions were reported, and air defenses were activated in response to ongoing U.S. operations. Attacks were also confirmed in southeastern cities, including Chabahar and Konarak, as well as in the western regions of Ilam and Kurdistan.
Simultaneously, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that their operations against U.S. military interests would continue. They reported launching drone strikes against U.S. facilities in Kuwait, targeting Camp Doha, and attacking Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Airbase, as well as Bahrain’s Isa Airbase.
The U.S. Department of Defense reported Wednesday that a third American soldier is believed to have died following an Iranian strike on the Jordanian airbase on July 17. The soldier, previously listed as missing, was reassessed to “Duty Status – Whereabouts Unknown, believed deceased,” bringing the total U.S. military fatalities in the ongoing conflict to 18 since hostilities with Iran began in February.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed a willingness for negotiations, stating that if Iran is serious about engagement, the U.S. is prepared to reciprocate. He emphasized the need to protect U.S. and allied interests if negotiations do not progress.
In a separate briefing to senators, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighted that military operations in the conflict have cost approximately $37.5 billion to date, urging the approval of an additional $67 billion to replenish missile supplies.
