U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged military strikes for a 10th consecutive night on Tuesday, targeting locations across the Middle East. U.S. Central Command reported hitting Iranian command centers, missile sites, and air defense systems in southern and western Iran. Iranian state media reported civilian casualties in Shiraz and other areas, though some reports of attacks were later disputed by local officials. In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guards launched drone and missile attacks against U.S.-linked sites in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, according to Iranian state media.
The conflict has led to significant disruptions in global shipping lanes. On Tuesday, two tankers carrying Saudi crude oil to China and India reversed course in the Red Sea following threats from Yemen's Houthi rebels, who declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was struck by a projectile, leading the crew to abandon the vessel. Iranian forces further claimed two additional tankers caught fire in the strait.
The escalation follows the collapse of an interim peace agreement signed last month. Regional authorities reported that Iranian strikes targeted infrastructure, including power generation and water desalination plants in Kuwait and Bahrain. While oil prices rose approximately 2% following the attacks, market analysts noted that ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran have prevented further price volatility. Shipping data shows traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has declined to roughly one-third of 2023 levels.