US and Iran clash over control of Strait of Hormuz after renewed attacks

The United States and Iran escalated their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz after three consecutive nights of cross-attacks, with President Donald Trump declaring the US will become the "guardian" of the waterway and impose a 20% toll on merchant vessels, while Iran vowed to resist any interference.

Escalation

The Pentagon used maritime drones for the first time in combat to strike an Iranian submarine maintenance facility, according to Centcom Source: hoydo. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on US bases in Jordan and Kuwait, and continued targeting commercial ships in the strait Source: infobae. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Bagaei said negotiations with Oman to ensure safe passage failed due to "open pressure by the United States" Source: infobae, hoydo.

Reactions

• Iran's military: "Under no circumstances will we allow the United States to interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz," said Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya command Source: eldiado. The Revolutionary Guard called the strait "our territory" and accused Washington of illegal meddling Source: clarin.
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged respect for freedom of navigation, warning a return to full-scale hostilities would be "catastrophic" Source: clarin.
• Brazil's President Lula da Silva accused Trump of "piracy" for proposing the toll, stating the US is "trying to make money from misfortune" Source: eldiado.
• EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for the strait to reopen, affirming that "freedom of navigation must be respected" Source: clarin.

Impact

Oil prices rose nearly 5% on Monday before settling at around $72.92 per barrel Source: clarin. The E3 (Germany, France, UK) condemned Iran's attacks on merchant ships Source: infobae. The standoff threatens to unravel the fragile ceasefire negotiated in February.