US launches third night of strikes on Iran; IRGC targets American assets in Bahrain and Jordan

Lead

The United States military launched a third consecutive night of strikes against Iran early Tuesday, as President Donald Trump announced the reimposition of a naval blockade on Iranian ports and floated a 20 percent fee on cargo in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said it had fired missiles and drones on Bahrain, targeting a residential building for US forces and other facilities.

The escalation is the most severe since both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in mid-June, and has threatened to return to full-fledged war.

Coverage comparison

Al Jazeera reported that the US military began a third night of strikes, with missile strikes and attacks on ships reported on Monday. The outlet said the Iranian city of Konarak was hit by missiles, according to Iranian state media, and that at least four explosions were heard east of Bandar Abbas, though the initial source of the explosions was not established. Al Jazeera noted that the Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway with 20 percent of global energy exports transiting before the war.

A separate Al Jazeera report said the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday that at President Trump's direction, forces had "started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz." The report also cited Iran's Mehr News Agency as saying air defenses were engaging "hostile targets" near Bandar Abbas, with explosions near Konarak, Chabahar, and Bushehr.

Dawn reported that the US launched another wave of strikes for the third consecutive day, and that Trump announced the reimposition of a blockade on Iranian ports. Dawn also cited Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps saying two "offending supertankers" were hit and disabled in the Strait of Hormuz, and that the US military said its latest five-hour mission hit targets across Iran, including coastal Bushehr and Bandar Abbas.

Key claims

* US strikes: The US military is conducting strikes for the third consecutive night, with the latest mission hitting targets across Iran, including coastal Bushehr and Bandar Abbas, according to a US military statement. The strikes aimed to "degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping." CENTCOM said it used precision munitions against Iranian coastal defense systems, missile and drone sites, and maritime capabilities. The statement said more than 50,000 US service members are currently deployed across the Middle East.

* Trump's announcement: Trump announced the reimposition of a naval blockade on Iranian ports and floated a 20 percent fee on cargo in the Strait of Hormuz. He said a deal with Iran was still possible even as attacks were carried out. Trump also said the ceasefire was "over," as reported by Al Jazeera.

* Iranian strikes: The IRGC said it had fired missiles and drones on Bahrain, targeting a residential building for US forces and other facilities. It claimed it destroyed the air control radar of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, and hit a Patriot missile defense system. The IRGC also said two "offending supertankers" were hit and disabled in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the tankers ignored warnings, turned off navigation systems, and tried to pass through a "mined route." The statement did not name the vessels or say whether they were the same tankers cited by the UAE's Ministry of Defence.

* Strait of Hormuz: The strategic waterway, through which 20 percent of global energy exports transited before the war, remains a central point of contention. Iran's interpretation of the MoU's fifth clause, which says Iran "will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels," has been used to justify attacks on unapproved vessels. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said the provision means Iran has sole "responsibility in determining arrangements for the safe passage of ships." Both the US and Iran have accused each other of violating the MoU.

Perspectives

US military: The United States is "holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews," and strikes aim to "degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping."

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps: Iran frames its attacks as defensive, saying it targeted "offending supertankers" and US facilities in response to the US escalation. It warned that cooperation with the "aggressor enemy" would result in damage, delays in reopening the strait, and a global energy crisis.

Iran's Foreign Ministry: Iran argues the MoU gives it sole responsibility in determining safe passage arrangements through the strait, a position that supports its attacks on vessels it considers unapproved.

UAE Ministry of Defence: Cited by Dawn, the UAE reported that Iran struck two ships in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one crew member, although it did not name the vessels.

Iranian state media: Reported missiles hit around Konarak and explosions near Bandar Abbas, as well as engaging "hostile targets" near the port city.