Dubai: The United States launched a series of military strikes on Iran early Sunday following an Iranian attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz that set a container ship on fire and forced its crew to abandon the vessel.
According to the US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation targeted approximately 140 sites across Iran, marking the largest round of US strikes since the conflict began. The targets included missile and drone launch facilities, ammunition depots, communication infrastructure, and other military installations.
Iran reportedly retaliated by launching attacks aimed at Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, further escalating tensions across the Gulf region.
The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as the central point of contention in efforts to negotiate a lasting end to the conflict between Iran and the United States, which began on February 28. Before the outbreak of the war, the strategic waterway carried nearly one-fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas.
Iran’s control over shipping through the strait during the conflict contributed to a global energy crisis, driving oil prices to as high as USD 120 per barrel. However, energy markets have since stabilised, with crude oil prices falling significantly from their wartime peaks.
The latest exchange of attacks has heightened concerns over regional security and raised fears that the conflict could expand further, complicating diplomatic efforts to restore stability in the Middle East.
