US Strikes on Iran Continue
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that dozens of targets in Iran were struck with precision munitions in attacks that began Sunday night and continued into Monday. The statement said, "Dozens of targets at multiple locations were struck to reduce Iran's ability to attack international maritime shipping transiting the Strait of Hormuz."
Iran Retaliates Against Gulf States
Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced they had attacked US military targets and bases in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait in retaliation for the US strikes. Air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain, while the Kuwaiti army reported intercepting "hostile aerial targets." The Jordanian army announced it had destroyed four Iranian missiles.
Oil Prices Surge
Rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's announcement that it had closed the strait pushed oil prices higher. As Asian futures opened, US crude oil WTI rose 4.5% to over $74 per barrel.
Diplomatic Reactions
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over the escalating regional tensions. Iran's Foreign Ministry stated that the US strikes had "caused the return of insecurity to the Strait of Hormuz" and "undermined all efforts to establish peace in the region."
Casualties
Iranian state media reported that at least 2 people were killed in the US strikes in southern and western Iran. Targets were hit on Qeshm Island and in Bandar Abbas near the Strait of Hormuz, as well as in Khuzestan province on the Iraqi border. Additionally, an attack on a water pumping station in the city of Mahshahr killed 1 person and wounded 4. On Farur Island in the Persian Gulf, a telecommunications worker was killed and 2 others were injured.
Oman Also Attacked
Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced they had also struck Oman, a country rarely targeted. Oman summoned the Iranian ambassador and issued a formal protest note. The attack came hours after Oman hosted Iran's foreign minister to discuss the Strait of Hormuz.
Ship Attack and Rescue
On Sunday, a Cyprus-flagged container ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, catching fire and forcing the crew to abandon the vessel. India announced that one of its sailors was missing, while Oman said it had rescued 23 crew members from the commercial ship.
Harsh Rhetoric
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said they would avenge his father, who was killed on the first day of the war, and that they had drawn up a list of people to target. US President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that any assassination attempt against him would lead to the US "totally obliterating" Iran.
