Overview
- U.S. forces carried out a sixth consecutive night of strikes on Friday, targeting coastal surveillance, air defenses and military logistics on Qeshm Island and near Bandar Abbas, the U.S. Central Command said.
- Washington has reimposed a naval blockade, boarded and redirected vessels and disabled a Curacao-flagged tanker bound for Kharg Island after the ship ignored warnings.
- Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases and allied states in the Gulf, the IRGC claimed strikes on U.S. radar sites in Oman and said it hit Al‑Tanf in Syria, and sources say Tehran has discussed asking Houthi allies to threaten the Bab al‑Mandeb.
- Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has largely stopped, insurers and shippers are rerouting or idling vessels, and markets are pricing higher energy risk while Iranian state media report dozens killed and hundreds wounded.
- Diplomatic channels remain open but fragile as mediators try to revive the June interim memorandum, and U.S. officials warn more infrastructure strikes are possible if Iran does not return to talks.