The United States has resumed military strikes on Iranian targets, heightening tensions in the Middle East after a temporary lull in hostilities. The renewed conflict began after Iran launched an attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan, where American troops are stationed. In response, President Donald Trump issued a stern warning of a “very hard” retaliation against Tehran’s actions.
U.S. Central Command reported that American forces conducted a series of strikes over a two-hour period, targeting facilities associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. The operations focused on numerous sites, including military command centers, missile and drone facilities, as well as coastal defense and surveillance locations. Iranian state media confirmed explosions on Qeshm Island near the strategic Strait of Hormuz and in Khuzestan province, with at least two people reported injured.
This escalation follows prior U.S. strikes on Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, resulting in the deaths of multiple fighters and Iranian advisers. The recent military actions have sparked concerns of a broader regional conflict, at a time when international attempts to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran have stalled.
Amid the mounting tensions, global energy markets have reacted with volatility. Brent crude oil prices surged by more than 7% due to fears of potential disruptions to oil shipments through vital Middle Eastern shipping lanes.