Overview
- U.S. Central Command said it launched additional “self‑defense” strikes at President Trump’s direction, beginning at 5:15 p.m. ET, and completed operations after hitting Iranian surveillance, air‑defense and communications sites.
- Iran’s IRGC and Khatam al‑Anbiya command announced they had struck U.S. targets and declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to all vessels, a claim CENTCOM rejects by saying commercial ships continue to transit.
- Houthi forces issued a ban on Israeli‑linked shipping in the Red Sea and a merchant vessel was approached and fired on near the Bab al‑Mandeb, with UKMTO reporting an exchange of fire but no casualties or damage.
- The fighting pushed oil prices higher, disrupted regional airspace and triggered maritime warnings, while Qatar‑led mediators remained engaged as negotiations showed no clear breakthrough.
- The new rounds of strikes and retaliatory claims raise the risk that the shaky April ceasefire will break down, increasing chances of wider regional spillover and further harm to civilians and commercial trade.