Explosions heard east of Bandar Abbas as US announces new strikes on Iran

DUBAI/WASHINGTON - The United States carried out fresh air strikes on Iranian targets on Tuesday, putting an end to expectations that the clashes observed over the weekend might not lead to a further escalation of hostilities. Oil prices had already surged following the first direct attacks since July and after reports of two tankers being attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil supply route that Iran had effectively closed to shipping.

Despite the aggression, Iran remained unbending, issuing a warning that it would impede oil exports from the Gulf, even as the U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to retaliate firmly against Iran in response to the renewed strikes. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent cautioned that Washington was poised to impose additional sanctions.

At 12 p.m. ET (1600 GMT), U.S. forces initiated strikes against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Iran, according to a post by U.S. Central Command on X. The strikes followed recent attempted assaults by the IRGC on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and on American personnel stationed in the region. Iran's state broadcaster reported rumors of casualties.