US reimposes naval blockade on Iran, launches new airstrikes

The United States military has reimposed a naval blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and launched a new wave of airstrikes, escalating the conflict in the Middle East. The announcement came from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Tuesday. Source: El Caribe, Hoy, Clarín

What happened

• The blockade was ordered by President Donald Trump and resumed at 4:00 p.m. ET on July 14. More than 20 U.S. Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft are operating across the region. Source: El Caribe
• One hour before the blockade, CENTCOM launched additional airstrikes "to continue degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz." Source: Clarín
• The U.S. also used maritime drones for the first time in combat to attack a submarine and ship maintenance center at Iran's Bandar Abbas naval base. Source: Hoy

Reactions

• Iran has responded with attacks across the region, including strikes on two Emirati ships in the strait, killing one crew member and injuring eight. Three people remain missing. Source: El Caribe
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Iran that if attacked, Israel would respond "with much more force" than in the previous conflict that began on February 28. Source: El Caribe
• Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan have suffered missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. interests in the past 24 hours. Source: El Caribe

Shift on compensation fee

President Trump initially announced on Monday that the U.S. would demand a 20% compensation fee for protecting ships transiting the strait, but on Tuesday he retracted that, saying it would be replaced "by trade and investment agreements" from Gulf states in the U.S. Source: Clarín, Hoy

This escalation follows the breakdown of a ceasefire agreement signed on June 17, which Trump declared void last week due to continued Iranian attacks on shipping. Source: Clarín