Iran Broadens Attacks on Gulf Nations, Declares Strait of Hormuz Closed Amid U.S. Strikes

Iran has significantly escalated its conflict with the United States, launching missile and drone assaults on U.S. facilities in several Gulf nations and declaring the vital Strait of Hormuz closed to unauthorized shipping. The moves follow a series of retaliatory U.S. airstrikes, deepening a cycle of attacks that threatens regional stability and a fragile month-old interim agreement.

Expanded Hostilities

In a marked expansion of the conflict, Iran's strikes on Sunday targeted countries that had not been recently attacked, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. According to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, their forces targeted U.S. assets in Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. Several Gulf nations confirmed the attacks:

• Qatar, a mediator in ceasefire talks, reported three injuries from falling shrapnel and said Iran was "fully legally responsible."
• The UAE and Bahrain said their air defenses intercepted multiple aerial attacks.
• Oman summoned Iran's ambassador to protest drone attacks in two regions.
• Kuwait's army reported damage from strikes, including an attack on an oil drilling platform that injured one worker.

The U.S. military responded with further strikes on Sunday, with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stating the action was taken "to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners." CENTCOM reported hitting 140 Iranian military targets on Saturday and more than 300 over three nights. In a brief interview with Reuters, U.S. President Donald Trump said of the strikes on Iran, "We’re beating them up."

Chokepoint in Crisis

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Tehran announced it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that handled one-fifth of global oil and LNG shipments before the war began on February 28. Iran's newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority said passage was "not currently possible" due to U.S. military movements, and that it had struck two vessels for traveling on unauthorized routes.

U.S. officials disputed Iran's claim of control. "Iran does not control the strait. Traffic is flowing," a U.S. statement said. The U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center advised that despite a severe threat, an "expanded" southern route near Oman remained available for traffic.

Diplomatic Collapse and Market Impact

The renewed violence casts serious doubt on the future of a U.S.-Iranian agreement signed last month, which aimed to reopen the strait and end the war. Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, posted on X: "The era of one-sided deals is OVER. We told you: keep your word or pay the price." Iran's foreign ministry said talks with Oman on Saturday failed to produce a result due to U.S. pressure.

The effective blockade of the strait has contributed to higher energy prices and global inflation, creating political pressure for the Trump administration ahead of congressional elections in November. The conflict continues to destabilize the Gulf, impacting global energy markets and supply chains.