The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iranian military assets on 13 July, acting on orders from President Donald Trump. The operation, which began at 16:45 Eastern Time, targeted coastal surveillance systems, drone capabilities, and missile infrastructure, according to a US official cited by CNN. CENTCOM stated the strikes would “continue to impose a high cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.” The escalation follows Trump’s formal notification to Congress that the US is in a state of war with Iran, a move that triggers a 60-day window for military action without prior legislative approval.

Viewed from Washington, the renewed offensive is framed as a response to Iranian violations of a June ceasefire agreement, specifically attacks on vessels transiting the strategic waterway. President Trump declared that the US would act as “guardian” of the strait, reimposing a naval blockade on Iranian-linked shipping and imposing a fee of 20% of cargo value on all commercial traffic to fund security operations. The White House also signalled an intention to destroy an underground nuclear site referred to as Pickaxe Mountain. In Tehran, state media reported explosions on the islands of Kish, Qeshm, and Abu Musa, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for strikes on two UAE-flagged tankers in the strait, killing one Indian crew member and wounding eight others. The IRGC also confirmed attacks on US facilities in Jordan and Bahrain. The UAE defence ministry condemned the tanker strikes as a “grave violation” of international law.

The immediate economic impact was felt in global energy markets, where Brent crude futures surpassed $150 per barrel, reflecting the strait’s role as a conduit for roughly 20% of the world’s oil. The US blockade, set to resume on 14 July, mirrors an earlier operation between April and June that diverted over 140 vessels and neutralised nine ships deemed non-compliant. The UN’s maritime agency has publicly opposed the US fee on shipping, while analysts in London note that the combination of aerial bombardment and maritime restrictions risks a prolonged disruption to commercial transit. The US notification to Congress, dated 10 July, asserts that armed forces “remain prepared to take necessary and appropriate measures” to ensure Iran ceases to pose a threat to the US and its allies.

The current hostilities trace back to 28 February, when the US and Israel initiated military action against Iran. A memorandum of understanding signed in June called for an immediate ceasefire, but Washington accused Tehran of breaching terms related to the strait, leading to a resumption of large-scale strikes on 8 July. Iran responded with drone and missile attacks on US assets in Kuwait and elsewhere. President Trump is scheduled to address the nation in prime time on 16 July, while the blockade’s enforcement and further strikes are expected to continue. The dossier remains in a state of active military confrontation, with no diplomatic track publicly acknowledged by either side.