Iran Vows to Defend Strait of Hormuz Amid US Strikes and Regional Tensions

Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei, advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, emphasized the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, stating it is more critical than dozens of nuclear bombs. Iran declared the strait closed until the cessation of American interference in the region. Iranian parliamentary security spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei tweeted that Iran has seized control of the strait by force and will maintain it by force.

Following the nighttime closure, Iranian media reported only 11 commercial vessels passed through Hormuz in the last 24 hours. Iran also claimed to have attacked another ship in the strait, prompting the US to launch air and naval strikes on 140 Iranian military targets, including missile launch sites, drones, naval assets, weapons depots, and communication facilities. This was the largest single-night US strike in a week, with over 300 targets hit in total to reduce Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping.

Iran responded by expanding missile and drone attacks on multiple Gulf countries hosting US bases, including Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Oman, all of which condemned the attacks as violations of their sovereignty. Qatar specifically stated the attacks breach international law and UN principles and reserved the right to respond. Bahrain accused Iran of systematic aggression targeting civilians.

Meanwhile, Oman's maritime security center reported a rescue operation for a Cyprus-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, saving 23 crew members with one still missing. The ongoing conflict underscores escalating regional instability and the critical role of the Strait of Hormuz in global energy and security dynamics.