US and Iran trade missile strikes amid escalating Strait of Hormuz conflict

United States and Iranian forces have engaged in an intensive exchange of missile and drone strikes, marking a severe escalation in the conflict over the Strait of Hormuz. As of Sunday, 12 July 2026, the hostilities have expanded to include countries that had previously been spared, with Iranian forces targeting locations across the Gulf and declaring the vital maritime chokepoint closed to transit.

The violence erupted following a series of attacks on commercial shipping. Iran claims to have disabled vessels traversing what it deems unauthorized routes, asserting that passage is currently impossible due to military movements in the region. According to the U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center, however, an expanded southern route near Oman remains available for traffic, and the U.S. Maintains that freedom of navigation persists despite what it labels as Iranian aggression and arbitrary threats.

The military exchange has reached nations that previously acted as mediators or remained removed from the immediate theater of combat. Qatar, which has facilitated ceasefire negotiations, reported that it was struck by Iranian forces, resulting in injuries to three people. The United Arab Emirates reported that its air defenses engaged incoming projectiles, while Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and Oman also reported targeted strikes. In response to the regional volatility, the U.S. Central Command stated that over 300 Iranian military targets were struck over three nights to degrade the capabilities used to harass commercial vessels.

The current instability jeopardizes an interim agreement reached last month, which was intended to pause the conflict and provide a window for negotiations regarding the strait and Iran's nuclear program. Following the latest cycle of attacks, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the ceasefire is effectively over, though the administration has left the possibility of future discussions open. The U.S. Has moved to revoke a license that previously authorized the sale of Iranian crude oil, a decision that followed earlier shipping attacks and has contributed to rising energy costs.

The strategic tension is rooted in Iran’s efforts to establish a permanent system for collecting fees from vessels passing through the strait, a move the U.S. And its regional partners reject. As Iran’s newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority maintains that permits for transit will be issued only when stability is restored, Tehran continues to use its position along the waterway to exert leverage. Iran’s leadership has signaled defiance, with negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stating on social media that the period of one-sided deals has concluded.

These developments occur against the backdrop of an extended mourning period for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on 28 February 2026. Funeral processions have drawn large crowds across Iran and Iraq, during which participants have expressed hostility toward the U.S. And Israeli leadership. Meanwhile, the U.S. Continues to maintain a military posture intended to hold Iranian forces accountable for adherence to international maritime security standards.

As of Sunday, the prospect of returning to the negotiating table remains uncertain. Foreign ministers from Iran and Oman held discussions on Saturday regarding the coordination of the Strait of Hormuz, and further communication has occurred with international mediators. Despite these diplomatic efforts, the exchange of strikes persists, and with the revocation of the oil sales license set to take effect on 17 July 2026, the potential for a wider conflict continues to loom over the region.