US and Iran exchange attacks as tensions rise in Strait of Hormuz

US and Iran exchange attacks as tensions rise in Strait of Hormuz

The United States and Iran are trading strikes and maritime attacks as they struggle for control of the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which about a fifth of all crude oil and natural gas traded once passed in peacetime. Following 10 consecutive nights of U.S. Airstrikes, shipping through the strait has largely stalled.

Early Tuesday, Iran attacked a tanker in the strait off Oman, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for this incident, as well as two other attacks on ships in the waterway on Monday.

The U.S. Military's Central Command stated on Tuesday that it has targeted Iranian air defense systems, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military command centers. The command added that American forces remain postured and prepared to hold Iran accountable for unwarranted aggression toward civilian mariners seeking to freely and openly transit the strait.

The escalation has impacted global energy markets. Benchmark Brent crude traded above $88 a barrel on Tuesday, and the average price of regular gasoline in the U.S. Rose to $4 a gallon.

Casualties and Military Losses

Iranian authorities reported on Sunday that at least 517 people have been wounded and at least 50 killed in the latest rounds of U.S. Strikes. Since the conflict began on Feb. 28, 17 U.S. Service members have been killed.

The U.S. Military identified two soldiers killed in Jordan in attacks that left a third person missing. Additionally, a death was confirmed in Iraq on Saturday during the controlled detonation of a downed Iranian drone. President Donald Trump warned on social media Monday that Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!

Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, posted on X on Monday that nearly 100 U.S. Service members have been injured since strikes restarted on July 7. Parnell stated that 96% of them have returned to duty and that the majority of injuries were minor concussions. He denied reports that the Pentagon was withholding injury data, though the Defense Casualty Analysis System had not been updated with the latest attacks as of Monday night.

Regional Spillover and Diplomatic Efforts

The violence has extended to U.S. Allies. Jordan's military reported on Tuesday that Iran targeted the country with five drones, all of which were shot down.

In Yemen, Houthi rebels—who are backed by Iran—announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on Monday. The Houthis intend to block shipping between the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea by targeting the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint. This follows an attack on Sanaa International Airport last week that the Houthis attributed to Saudi Arabia. To maintain oil exports, Saudi Arabia has relied on a pipeline to the Red Sea. Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, a Saudi military spokesman, stated that all Houthi threats would be dealt with swiftly and firmly.

Diplomatic attempts to halt the fighting continue in Pakistan. Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni arrived in Islamabad on Monday for two days of talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This follows the collapse of an interim deal signed last month. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Sunday that the U.S. Remains open to negotiations, but stated, it has to be real.

Wider Implications

The U.S. State Department issued a new warning to Americans, stating that Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world.

The conflict has also intersected with other geopolitical frictions. During the recently concluded 2026 FIFA World Cup, Iranian players and officials faced severe hurdles; many support staff were denied entry, and the team was forced to base in Tijuana, Mexico, shuttling across the border for matches rather than staying in the U.S.