Iran Launches Escalated Attacks on US Gulf Installations, Threatens Strait of Hormuz Security

WASHINGTON/DUBAI, July 13 (Reuters) – U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged heavy missile and drone assaults, with Tehran targeting U.S. facilities in Gulf states and closing the critical Strait of Hormuz, driving oil prices up.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guardspaid they struck U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, destroyed Omani radar systems, and hit fuel tanks and ammo depots at Jordan’s Prince Hassan Air Base in retaliation for recent U.S. operations.

The assaults represent an intensification in both frequency and scope within an ongoing cycle of conflict as Iran aims to dominate shipping through the strategically vital strait.

U.S. military officials confirmed attacks on Iranian air-defence networks, coastal radars, missiles, drones, and small boats using aircraft, ships, and drones during Sunday’s operations.

The situation undermines the prospects of a recently signed mutual agreement to reopen the strait and halt hostilities after 60 days of talks.

During a brief call with Reuters on Sunday, President Donald Trump stated, “We’re beating them up,” reflecting his hardline stance amid shifting rhetoric about ceasefire negotiations.

In recent days, Trump has indicated the truce is defunct while keeping dialogue options open.

Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, posted on X: “One-sided deals are OVER. We warned: keep your word or face consequences. Reality is here.”

The conflict—triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28—has destabilized the Gulf, with Iran’s blockage of the Strait of Hormuz inflating energy costs and global inflation.

The Guards warned that normal shipping through the strait could resume only after U.S. military actions cease, threatening further disruptions to the global oil and gas sector.

Brent crude rose 4.3% to $79.31 per barrel on Monday, though it remained below earlier war peaks.

Elevated gasoline prices pose political challenges for Trump as November elections approach.

Around 20 ships passed through the strait in the past 24 hours, though tracking data shows limited commercial activity.

MELTDOWN IN THE STRAIT

Iran has sought to formalize a fee-collection system for the strait, which previously handled a fifth of global oil and LNG shipments. It cautioned vessels against unauthorized routes, closing the waterway after firing a warning shot at one ship on Saturday and disabling another on Sunday.

The Persian Gulf Strait Authority stated Sunday that passage is currently blocked due to “U.S. military incursions,” promising permits “once stability returns.”

The U.S. asserts it does not control the strait, noting traffic is still flowing. Its forces are positioned to protect navigation amid “aggression and threats” from Iran, according to officials.

“Iran does not control the strait. Traffic is flowing,” the U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center reiterated, advising an expanded southward route near Oman as an alternative.

On Saturday, U.S. Central Command reported hitting 140 Iranian targets, with over 300 strikes this week to cripple Iran’s capacity to attack merchant ships.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed successes in Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, destroying radar sites, military infrastructure, and command centers linked to U.S. allies.

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