Washington/Tehran, July 16 (V7N) — The United States has launched fresh strikes targeting Iran after imposing another blockade on Iranian ports, escalating tensions between the two countries. In response, Tehran has threatened to shut down additional regional energy routes if the confrontation continues.
The US military said it began the latest strikes against Iran at around 6:00 am Eastern Time on Wednesday, targeting sites aimed at reducing Iran’s military capabilities.
The US military claimed that Iranian forces had been attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, and said the operations were intended to stop such attacks.
The latest strikes came a day after the US military announced attacks on dozens of Iranian military facilities near the Strait of Hormuz and coastal areas. The operation reportedly continued for seven hours.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded by carrying out attacks targeting locations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. An Iranian official said more than 30 civilians had been killed and 260 injured in recent US strikes.
Iran’s military also reported that seven Iranian soldiers were killed after 13 US missiles struck targets in southern Iran, vowing retaliation and describing the attacks as a “cowardly aggression.”
Trump Threatens Attacks on Iranian Infrastructure
US President Donald Trump has threatened to strike Iran’s bridges and power infrastructure if Tehran does not return to negotiations.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said the coming week would be “very difficult” for Iran, warning that the US could destroy its electricity infrastructure and bridges if talks do not resume.
His remarks came as the two countries continued exchanging attacks for a fourth consecutive day.
Earlier, Trump had threatened to impose a 20% tariff on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but later withdrew the idea following objections from US allies and advisers.
However, the US Navy has maintained a blockade in the region.
Iran Threatens Wider Energy Blockade
Iran’s IRGC has warned that it could block other major regional energy routes used by the United States and its allies.
In a statement carried by Iranian media, the IRGC said that either all countries would benefit from regional energy exports or no country would be allowed to do so.
Analysts believe the warning may refer to the possibility of disrupting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key global shipping route at the entrance of the Red Sea, potentially putting two of the world’s most important energy corridors at risk.
The latest escalation centres on control of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital oil and gas transit routes.
Iran has said the new US strikes have undermined previous diplomatic efforts, while analysts warn that a prolonged conflict could put pressure on America’s military resources and reduce its ability to respond to potential crises elsewhere, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
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