Iran Expands Gulf Attacks As Strait Of Hormuz Closes Again

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 2026 – Iran has expanded its latest wave of attacks across several Gulf countries, escalating tensions with the United States and raising new concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes. Tehran claimed it had once again closed the strategic waterway amid renewed missile and drone exchanges with Washington.

The latest escalation came after Iran reportedly launched attacks on US-linked facilities in several Gulf states. Reports said Qatar was among the countries affected, while the United Arab Emirates said its defence systems intercepted missiles and drones launched from Iran. Explosions were also reported near Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, both located close to key military facilities around the Strait of Hormuz.

The conflict widened further as Iran was reported to have targeted areas linked to US military interests in Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan and Oman. At the same time, the United States carried out additional strikes against Iranian targets in response to the growing threat to commercial shipping and regional security.

Iranian authorities said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed to international shipping due to what they described as unstable security conditions caused by US military activity in the region. They said navigation permits would only be restored once stability and calm returned.

Washington rejected Iran’s claim of control over the waterway, saying US forces continued operating to protect freedom of navigation. US Central Command reportedly said it had struck at least 140 Iranian military targets in the latest operation, bringing the total number of targets hit over three nights to more than 300.

The escalation has also shaken global energy markets. Oil prices rose on Monday after Iran expanded attacks in the Gulf, with Brent crude increasing by US$2.34 to US$78.35 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate climbed US$2.21 to US$73.62 per barrel.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint because it connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The US Energy Information Administration says the strait handled an average of 20 million barrels per day in 2024, equivalent to about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption.

Any prolonged disruption could affect oil, petroleum products and liquefied natural gas shipments. The same data showed that more than one-quarter of total global seaborne oil trade and around one-fifth of global LNG trade passed through the Strait of Hormuz in 2024, with Asian markets among the most exposed to potential supply disruption.

The renewed fighting has cast doubt over the future of a temporary US-Iran agreement reached last month. That agreement was aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and creating space for further negotiations, but fresh attacks from both sides have made a quick diplomatic breakthrough increasingly uncertain.