US completes offensive against Iran; Iran strikes back, vows to keep Strait closed

The United States completed a new military offensive against Iran on Tuesday, conducting seven hours of airstrikes against dozens of military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and along Iran's coast. The operation, announced by CENTCOM, involved fighter jets, drones, and naval vessels using precision munitions to hit missile and drone installations, naval capabilities, and coastal defense systems. Source: El Confidencial The US also reimposed a naval blockade on vessels heading to or from Iranian ports. Source: Emol

The response

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) retaliated with attacks on US-allied countries. It claimed to have destroyed "the main US center for preparation and military support in West Asia" in Mina Abdullah, Kuwait, and struck a command-and-control center in Bahrain used by US forces, as well as fuel tanks of the Fifth Fleet. Source: El Confidencial Kuwait confirmed it was facing hostile drone attacks. Source: Emol Additionally, Iran launched attacks on the Al-Azraq base in Jordan, where US F-18s are stationed. Source: El Confidencial

Strait closure

Iran declared that the Strait of Hormuz "will remain closed until the end of the US malicious actions." Source: Emol The strait carries about 20% of the world's oil and LNG traffic. The IRGC warned that if US "bandits" block Iran's oil exports, then "oil and gas exports from the region are for everyone or for no one." Source: Emol US forces remain "vigilant, lethal, and ready" for further operations. Source: El Confidencial