Iran Widens Gulf Attacks, Claims Strait of Hormuz Closed Amid U.S. Strikes

A sharp escalation of hostilities between the United States and Iran erupted over the weekend, with both sides launching heavy missile and drone assaults. Iranian forces expanded their attacks to target U.S. facilities in several Gulf states, while Tehran also declared it had closed the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway, according to reports from Reuters and statements from regional governments.

A Widening Conflict

The weekend's events mark a dangerous new phase in the conflict, expanding its geographic scope. Iran's strikes on Sunday hit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, nations that had not been targeted in months. In response to the attacks, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated it launched new strikes against Iran at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday to "degrade their ability to attack civilian mariners."

According to a CENTCOM statement on the social media platform X, U.S. forces have struck more than 300 Iranian military targets over the past three nights. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for a series of retaliatory strikes, including:

• A command-and-control center in Jordan.
• A U.S. radar site and rocket launchers in Kuwait.
• U.S. aircraft carrier support platforms in Oman.
• A jet maintenance center in Qatar.

Strait of Hormuz in Focus

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Control over the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime chokepoint for about a fifth of the world's pre-war oil supply, remains a central point of contention. Iran announced late Saturday it had closed the waterway after striking a vessel, and on Sunday said it had disabled a second. The newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority said passage was "not currently possible" but that permits would be issued once stability was restored.

The U.S. has forcefully rejected Iran's claim. A U.S. Navy-led maritime center reiterated that despite severe security threats, an "expanded" southern shipping route near Oman remains open for traffic. "Iran does not control the strait. Traffic is flowing," the U.S. said in a statement.

Diplomatic Collapse and Market Impact

This latest cycle of attacks casts serious doubt on an interim U.S.-Iranian agreement signed last month, which aimed to reopen the strait. U.S. President Donald Trump, who told Reuters on Sunday "We’re beating them up," has recently said he considers the ceasefire over.

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." The escalating conflict has already driven energy prices higher, fueling global inflation concerns and adding a significant geopolitical risk premium to oil markets.