Iran Widens Attacks on Gulf States, Declares Strait of Hormuz Closed Amid Clashes with US

Iran has significantly escalated its conflict with the United States, launching widespread missile and drone attacks against U.S. facilities in several Gulf states and declaring the vital Strait of Hormuz closed. The actions follow a new wave of American airstrikes, deepening a cycle of attacks that threatens global energy supplies and casts doubt on a recent interim agreement.

Escalating Military Exchange

The weekend saw a barrage of strikes from both sides. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for attacks on a U.S. command-and-control center in Jordan, a radar site in Kuwait, aircraft support platforms in Oman, and a maintenance facility in Qatar. According to reports from the respective nations, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait also intercepted or sustained damage from Iranian attacks.

In response, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated it began launching more strikes against Iran at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday to "degrade their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships." CENTCOM reported on Saturday that U.S. forces had struck over 300 Iranian military targets over three nights. Speaking to Reuters on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump said of the strikes on Iran, "We’re beating them up."

Strait of Hormuz in Focus

Tehran announced it had closed the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for about one-fifth of the world's pre-war oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. A newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority said passage was "not currently possible" and that permits would be issued once stability was restored. The declaration followed attacks on commercial shipping, including one on the container ship GFS Galaxy that left one Indian national missing, according to India's government.

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The U.S. military contested Iran's claim of control, stating, "Iran does not control the strait. Traffic is flowing." The U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center advised that an "expanded" southern route near Oman remained available for transit despite the severe security threat.

Diplomatic Fallout

The renewed violence threatens to derail an interim U.S.-Iranian agreement signed last month. Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, posted on the social media platform X on Sunday, "The era of one-sided deals is OVER. We told you: keep your word or pay the price." Iran's foreign ministry also stated that talks with Oman on Saturday failed to produce a result due to U.S. pressure.

Regional partners hosting U.S. facilities condemned the attacks. Qatar reported three people were injured by falling shrapnel and said Iran was "fully legally responsible." Oman summoned Iran's ambassador to protest drone attacks, and Kuwait reported an injury to a worker on an oil drilling platform.