Story
US Conducts 12th Straight Night of Strikes on Iran Amid Escalating Threats
Summary
The U.S. military has completed its twelfth consecutive night of attacks on Iranian targets, as both nations exchange threats involving critical infrastructure, further elevating geopolitical risk and pressuring global energy prices.
The U.S. military conducted its 12th consecutive night of strikes against Iran, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command, continuing a military campaign that has heightened regional instability and supported a rally in crude oil prices.
Latest Military Action
In a statement released Wednesday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American forces had struck multiple Iranian military targets at the direction of President Donald Trump. The latest engagement lasted for five hours.
CENTCOM specified that the targets included:
- Maritime capabilities
- Missile and drone storage facilities
- Coastal surveillance sites
- Air defense assets
Throughout July, U.S. forces have hit dozens of Iranian military sites on land while also enforcing a naval blockade against the country, the statement added.
Escalating Threats and Market Impact
AdThe ongoing military action is accompanied by increasingly sharp rhetoric, raising concerns among investors about potential disruptions to critical energy infrastructure. President Trump vowed on Wednesday to destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant every time Iran attacks a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments.
Responding through state media, Iran’s joint military command warned it would target regional oil, gas, and electricity facilities if the U.S. acted on the threat. This direct risk to energy supply has added upward pressure on oil prices, with Brent crude futures rising over 2.2% to trade above $96 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate climbing 1.8% to over $88 per barrel.
Conflict Background
The current war began on February 28 following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, which prompted retaliatory strikes from Tehran on Israel and Gulf states hosting American bases. The conflict has reportedly killed thousands, displaced millions, and recently pushed the number of U.S. troop deaths to 18.
President Trump's threats to target civilian infrastructure have previously drawn condemnation. International law experts in the U.S. warned in April that such attacks could constitute war crimes under the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which prohibit targeting sites essential for civilian life.
Read next
More on Commodities
Copper Price Stalls at Key Fibonacci Resistance Near $6.70
Copper futures are facing a significant technical test at the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level around $6.70, with overbought signals and fading volume creating uncertainty after a recent V-shaped recovery.
Silver Price Stalls at $68 Resistance Amid Bull Trap Warnings
Silver is testing the critical $68.00 resistance level, but technical indicators show weakening momentum and fading volume, raising the risk of a potential 'bull trap' for traders.
Brent Crude Tests Critical $103 Support Amid Conflicting Technical Signals
Brent oil futures are trading at a pivotal technical juncture around $103 per barrel, where a key support indicator is being tested. A breakdown could accelerate losses, while a successful defense may spark a rebound from oversold conditions.
Gold Prices Confined to Narrow Range as Technical Indicators Signal Indecision
Gold is trading within a tight band defined by significant technical support and resistance levels, as conflicting chart signals and declining volume point to a period of consolidation before a potential breakout.