WASHINGTON — The United States intensified military strikes on Iranian targets and reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and coastal shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, marking a sharp escalation in the conflict after a ceasefire agreement unraveled.
U.S. Central Command said it resumed enforcement of the blockade on vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports under orders from President Donald Trump. The military said U.S. forces also carried out additional strikes against Iranian military infrastructure, including air defense systems, missile sites and naval assets that Washington says have been used to threaten commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.
The White House has said the measures are intended to protect freedom of navigation following what it described as renewed Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil exports. President Trump has warned of further military action if Iran does not return to negotiations, while also saying the United States remains open to a diplomatic resolution.
Iran condemned the renewed blockade and strikes, with senior officials accusing Washington of violating efforts to restore calm. Iranian authorities warned of retaliation and reiterated threats to disrupt regional energy exports, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported attacks targeting U.S. positions in the region. Those claims could not be independently verified.
The renewed fighting follows the collapse of an interim ceasefire that had temporarily eased hostilities and reopened shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The latest military exchanges have heightened concerns over the security of one of the world's busiest energy corridors, while commercial shipping and oil markets remain under close watch. Officials in both countries have indicated the situation remains fluid, with further developments expected.
