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US military forces launched airstrikes against Iran for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday and reimposed a strict naval blockade to halt all shipping to and from Iranian ports.
While President Donald Trump dropped his previous threat to heavily tax ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, he warned that the US military will expand its campaign to destroy Iran’s power plants and bridges next week unless Tehran agrees to a deal.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) ordered the latest strikes to degrade Iranian forces that target commercial vessels in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian attacks have recently killed or injured nearly a dozen civilian crew members.
In response to the US strikes and the new blockade—which Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said dismantled the “Islamabad memorandum” peace talks—Iranian forces launched retaliatory drone and missile attacks against a US-hosting military base in Jordan and residential facilities in Bahrain.
The escalating regional conflict has killed at least 28 people in Iran over the past week.
While Bahrain and Jordan successfully intercepted incoming Iranian missiles, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Tehran, promising a decisive, heavy blow if Iran attacks Israel.
Meanwhile, Trump announced that he will replace his proposed 20 per cent shipping fee with new trade and investment deals with Gulf allies.
