US-Iran War: Strait of Hormuz Sealed, Strikes Escalate

The United States and Iran entered a seventh consecutive night of direct military exchanges, with US forces expanding strikes deeper into Iranian territory — hitting bridges, a maritime traffic control facility on Larak Island, and targets in Hormozgan province that killed at least three people and wounded eight. The US also struck what Iran described as infrastructure targets, while Iran's forces hit a power and desalination plant in Kuwait and fired Arash suicide drones in response.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced that the Strait of Hormuz — through which roughly 20% of global oil trade passes — has become 'highly perilous' and is now fully sealed off, citing 'crimes of the US military.' The IRGC also reported stopping four ships and claimed to have shot down a US MQ-9 drone over the southern port city of Bushehr using a newly developed air defence system. Saudi Arabia issued and then lifted warnings for Al-Kharj and Yanbu, suggesting spillover risks to Gulf neighbours.

The closure of Hormuz represents a major escalation with immediate consequences for global energy markets and shipping. A Nikkei Asia analysis noted that the conflict has already highlighted the vulnerability of undersea communications cables in the region. The fighting has also prompted concerns about oil supply disruptions across Asia, though a separate Japan government analysis found that coordinated release of strategic oil reserves helped avert an economic slowdown during the early phase of the conflict.

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