The forces of the USA and Iran exchanged powerful missile and drone strikes over the weekend and on Monday. Tehran targeted US facilities in the Persian Gulf and announced that it had once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in a rise in oil prices.
The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported on Monday that it had attacked US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait, destroyed radar systems in Oman, and struck fuel tanks and ammunition depots at the Prince Hassan airbase in Jordan. According to the IRGC, these actions were in retaliation for US strikes.
US military officials reported that on Sunday they targeted Iranian air defense systems, coastal radar facilities, missile and drone infrastructure, as well as small combat boats, using aircraft, naval vessels, and drones.
This exchange of strikes marked an escalation in both the frequency and geographical scope of attacks over the past week, raising questions about the temporary US-Iran agreement signed last month. The agreement called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the cessation of hostilities after another 60 days of negotiations.
Statements by Leaders
US President Donald Trump commented on the strikes against Iran in a brief telephone interview with Reuters on Sunday, stating: “We are hitting them.” Trump noted that he considered the ceasefire to be over but left the door open for further negotiations.
Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf responded with an equally stern statement, writing on the X platform on Sunday: “The era of one-sided deals is over. We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking.”
Impact on the Region and Oil Prices
The war, initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, has destabilized the Persian Gulf and spread throughout the region, with Iran attacking US bases in multiple countries. Thousands of people have died, primarily in Iran and Lebanon.
Tehran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has led to a rise in energy prices and heightened concerns about global inflation.
The IRGC stated on Monday that the only way to restore regular shipping through the strait is to end US military interference in the waterway and warned that “further interference could lead to larger incidents in the global oil and gas sector.”
Iran aims to establish a joint mechanism with Oman to manage traffic through the strait, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Monday, adding that US pressure on Oman had hindered these discussions.
Prices for Brent crude oil rose more than 3% on Monday, although they remained significantly lower than the peak values reached earlier in the conflict. The rise in energy prices, particularly for gasoline, is politically sensitive for Trump ahead of the November congressional elections.
Source: Reuters
