US Launches Second Night of Strikes on Iran; Hormuz Fully Closed
US Central Command announced strikes against 'multiple targets' in Iran beginning at 5:15 pm ET on Wednesday, marking the second straight night of US military action against the Islamic Republic. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the attacks as targeting 'key facilities' as part of efforts to secure a deal on Trump's terms. Iranian state media reported explosions in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, on the island of Qeshm, in Minab, and in Sirik — all near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
In a major escalation, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz completely closed to all shipping, threatening to attack any vessel attempting to pass. President Trump separately acknowledged that the US had been running a 'secret mission' to help commercial tankers and oil ships navigate through the blockade. The closure has immediate implications for global energy markets, with an estimated 20% of the world's oil supply transiting the strait.
Coverage diverges notably by region: German outlet Der Spiegel and French Le Monde focus on the military timeline and Iranian air defense activations, while Politico Europe emphasizes diplomatic fallout and the 'pitchfest' among energy-producing nations from Suriname to Syria seeking to position themselves as alternative supply sources. Middle East Eye and Al Jazeera stress the humanitarian and geopolitical dimensions of US strikes during an active World Cup hosting period, while Korean and Australian outlets frame it primarily through the lens of energy market risk and Trump's escalatory rhetoric.
Sources
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