Fresh US-Iran strikes in the Strait of Hormuz disrupt fragile ceasefire, ignite regional fears, and send oil prices surging amid escalating maritime tensions.
TEHRAN/DUBAI: A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran teetered on the edge of collapse Tuesday as both sides launched fresh missile and drone strikes across the Gulf, intensifying a high-stakes confrontation over control of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Explosions ripped through parts of the waterway, with fires reported on multiple merchant vessels, underscoring the growing risks to global shipping. The United States said it destroyed six Iranian military boats, while an oil installation in the United Arab Emirates was set ablaze following reported Iranian strikes, signaling a sharp escalation in hostilities.
The flare-up coincided with US President Donald Trump unveiling “Project Freedom,” a military-backed initiative aimed at escorting stranded commercial ships through the disrupted corridor. The move marks Washington’s most assertive attempt yet to restore maritime traffic since a ceasefire was brokered last month, though early signs suggest limited success as major shipping firms remain wary of returning.
Tehran, however, issued a stark warning, declaring that any attempt to bypass its authority in the strait would provoke a forceful response. Iranian officials have repeatedly emphasized that passage through the narrow chokepoint — through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply flows — cannot proceed without its consent.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the latest exchanges demonstrated the absence of a military solution, pointing instead to ongoing diplomatic efforts, including mediation facilitated by Pakistan. He also cautioned regional states against deeper involvement, warning it could widen the conflict.
Conflicting accounts further clouded the situation. The US military claimed that two merchant vessels successfully transited the strait under naval escort, a claim swiftly denied by Iran. Meanwhile, South Korea reported a fire aboard one of its ships in the area, while British maritime authorities said two vessels were struck off the UAE coast.
Adding to tensions, Iran released a map asserting an expanded maritime control zone stretching beyond the Strait of Hormuz and into sections of the UAE coastline — a move likely to alarm regional governments and international stakeholders.
The United Arab Emirates condemned the attacks as a dangerous escalation, reserving its right to respond. In Fujairah, a critical oil export hub, authorities confirmed a fire at an oil facility following a drone strike, prompting schools in nearby areas to shift to remote learning as a precaution.
Global markets reacted swiftly, with oil prices surging more than five percent amid fears of prolonged disruption to energy supplies. Analysts warn that continued instability in the Strait of Hormuz could have far-reaching consequences for international trade and economic stability.
Despite earlier commitments to de-escalation, formal peace talks remain stalled. Iranian officials said Washington had recently responded to a proposal via Pakistan, but no details have been disclosed, leaving diplomatic prospects uncertain as tensions continue to simmer.
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