Bangkok: The United States has completed its latest wave of attacks against Iran, marking the third consecutive night of military action. The U.S. Central Command announced that U.S. forces successfully struck military targets across Iran, as part of an operation ordered by President Donald Trump to cripple Iran's military capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Thai News Agency, the five-hour offensive was coupled with the resumption of a blockade on Iranian shipping and a proposal to impose a 20% protection fee on all cargo ships operating as guardians of shipping lanes. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz escalated when the UAE Ministry of Defence reported that Iranian cruise missiles had struck two of its oil tankers in Omani waters, injuring nine crew members. Similarly, the UK Maritime Operations Agency noted an attack on an oil tanker with an unknown type of explosive.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) admitted to attacking and disabling two extra-large oil tankers for disregarding warnings. They also claimed to have disrupted the Patriot radar, the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet's flight control radar, and the C-RAM early warning radar system in Bahrain. President Trump emphasized via the TruthSocial platform that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open, asserting that the U.S. must receive a 20% reimbursement on all goods transported through the route. In response, the Iranian Supreme Joint Military Command and Foreign Ministry stated that the U.S. has no role in the management of the Strait of Hormuz, asserting Iran's guardianship over the route.
The escalating tensions have led to a global surge in crude oil prices, which rose nearly 3 percent today. Brent crude futures increased to $84.80 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed to $79.84 per barrel, reflecting the heightened uncertainty in global energy shipments due to the U.S. naval blockade and ongoing attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.