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US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: The tensions between the United States and Iran escalated further as the US military carried out its 12th consecutive night of airstrikes on Iranian military facilities. Meanwhile, Iran stated that it had stopped three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, and Houthis of Yemen revealed that they carried out attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea. The recent events have increased apprehensions regarding the availability of global oil supply as well as safety of international shipping routes.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: US Ends 12th Straight Night of Military Strikes
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the American military completed its twelfth consecutive night of military actions against Iran at approximately 10:30 p.m. ET. In particular, according to CENTCOM, the current strikes aimed to destroy various military assets of Iran, including its maritime capacity, sites for storing missiles and drones, coastal surveillance stations, as well as air defenses.
“These strikes further undermine Iran’s capability to attack civilian sailors and civilian ships.” The U.S. military additionally mentioned that it managed to disrupt the movement of ships in Iranian ports after the new blockade was imposed. According to CENTCOM, nine civilian ships were redirected, while another one was disabled.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Iran Claims It Stopped Three Oil Tankers in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Thursday that it had prevented three oil tankers from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes. Iran has recently been targeting ships using a route close to the Omani coastline. The move is seen as an attempt to force vessels into Iranian waters, where they are expected to coordinate with Iranian authorities and reportedly pay for safe passage.
“Three oil tankers, provoked and tempted by the child-killing American army, were trying to pass through the mine-laid route south of the Strait of Hormuz, but after one of them exploded and caught fire, the other two quickly turned around and turned back,” the Guard said in a statement quoted by Iranian state media.
Iranian officials did not specify when the reported incident occurred. “The powerful IRGC Navy emphasizes that the Strait of Hormuz is under our control… and any ship that is deceived by the US and intends to pass without coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran will suffer the same fate,” the Guard added.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Kuwait Reports Intercepting Iranian Drones
The Kuwaiti military announced that it is actively intercepting Iranian drones entering its airspace. Kuwait, a key US ally in the Gulf region, has faced repeated drone threats during the ongoing conflict, particularly following multiple rounds of US strikes on Iranian military positions. The latest interceptions underline the widening regional impact of the conflict.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Houthis Claim Red Sea Tanker Attacks
On top of the worries surrounding the shipping industry around the globe, the Iran-supported Houthi rebels from Yemen took credit for attacks against two commercial oil tankers in the Red Sea. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Center stated that they received intelligence indicating that an oil tanker near the coast of Saudi Arabia was hit by an “unknown projectile,” causing a fire on board. It was confirmed that there were no injuries. After the attack, a Houthi spokesman announced on social media that their rebel force attacked two Saudi oil tankers. This was after the Houthi forces warned of imposing a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Shipping Industry Faces Fresh Disruptions
Recent attacks have added to the risks faced by international shipping, which is currently facing threats by Iran against vessels seeking passage through the Strait of Hormuz without permission. Another crucial zone of threat arises from the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical route connecting the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea with the Suez Canal. This strait serves as an essential route for exporting oil.
Oil tankers that depart from the Red Sea export terminal of Saudi Arabia take this route as an alternative whenever the passage through the Strait of Hormuz poses threats. According to the shipping analytics firm Kpler, at least four ships bound for the Bab al-Mandab Strait suddenly changed course in recent days to avoid entering the danger zone. The Houthis have launched attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea several times in 2023 and 2024.
