Iran Closes the Strait of Hormuz After Missile Attacks in the Gulf

U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged heavy missile and drone attacks on Sunday, widening the conflict across the Gulf and raising new uncertainty over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy routes.

According to Reuters, Iran said it had again closed the strait after firing on vessels it described as using unauthorized routes. The latest attacks reached the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, expanding the range of targets in a sharp escalation after months of fighting tied to the war that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28.

The renewed violence also cast doubt on an interim agreement signed last month between Washington and Tehran that was meant to reopen the strait and help end the war after another 60 days of negotiations. In recent days, President Donald Trump has said he considers the ceasefire over, though he has also left open the possibility of more talks.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the waterway would remain closed until what they called “the end of U.S. interference in this region.” U.S. Central Command rejected Iran’s claim that it controlled the passage and said maritime traffic was still moving. The command said American forces were positioned to protect freedom of navigation despite what it called Iranian aggression and threats.

The Joint Maritime Information Center, led by the U.S. Navy, said the security threat remained severe but that an expanded southern route near Oman was available for two-way traffic. Even so, the exchange underscored how fragile shipping conditions have become in and around the strait, which before the war carried about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Reuters reported that Iran said late Saturday it had closed the waterway after a warning shot struck a vessel traveling on an unauthorized route. On Sunday, Tehran said it had disabled a second vessel. India said one of its nationals was missing after an attack on the container ship GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman earlier in the day. Oman said 23 crew members had been rescued.

Qatar told all vessels, including leisure boats, fishing boats and jet skis, to suspend activities. Oman said it had summoned Iran’s ambassador to protest drone attacks in two regions, while the U.S. Embassy in Oman advised Americans in Duqm and Musandam to shelter in place.

The military exchange spread across several Gulf states. Iran’s Guards said they had destroyed a command-and-control center and drone hangars in Jordan, targeted a U.S. radar site in Kuwait, attacked aircraft carrier support and refueling platforms in Oman, and destroyed a jet maintenance center and command facility in Qatar. Iranian state media also reported explosions in several port cities inside Iran and said an Iranian army officer had been killed in what it described as U.S.-Israeli attacks.

Qatar said three people, including a child, were injured by falling shrapnel and held Iran fully responsible for the attack. The UAE said it detected missile threats outside its borders. Bahrain said it intercepted several Iranian aerial attacks. Jordan reported missile strikes, and Oman said it had been targeted with drones.

The Pentagon said U.S. forces struck 140 Iranian military targets on Saturday and more than 300 over three nights this week. Central Command said those operations were intended to reduce Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the strait.

The latest round of hostilities followed talks in Oman on Saturday between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi. Iran said those discussions focused on arrangements related to the Strait of Hormuz and were expected to continue with Qatari participation. Araqchi later discussed regional developments by phone with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.

On Tuesday, the United States revoked the license authorizing sales of Iranian crude after Qatari and Saudi commercial tankers came under fire. Iran has not claimed responsibility for earlier ship attacks, but analysts cited by Reuters said Tehran has used such actions to gain leverage in negotiations.

Iranian negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf wrote on X on Sunday that “the era of one-sided deals is OVER” and added: “We told you: keep your word or pay the price.”

The conflict has already pushed energy prices higher and added to inflation concerns worldwide. That matters beyond oil markets. A prolonged disruption in Hormuz could raise freight and fuel costs for importers across food and drink supply chains, including wineries, brewers and distillers that depend on global shipping routes for bottles, packaging, ingredients and finished products moving between Asia, Europe and the United States.