WASHINGTON/TEHRAN, 15 July (H.S.): The United States has reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports. More than 20 warships and hundreds of military aircraft have been deployed to closely monitor vessels passing through Iranian ports and coastal waters. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the move in a post on X on Tuesday local time. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has reversed his decision to impose a 20 percent tariff. The United States carried out strikes on Iran for the fourth consecutive night. Iran claimed it had launched attacks on US military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, as well as on two large oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Maritime Risks: According to Al Jazeera and CBS News, the United States resumed the blockade of Iranian ports on Tuesday afternoon. Following strong opposition from the shipping industry, President Trump scrapped plans to impose a 20 percent toll on cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Instead, the US decided to pursue trade and investment agreements with Gulf nations. Iran has also not ruled out imposing its own transit toll for the use of the Strait of Hormuz and has warned vessels against passing through the strategic waterway without authorization. The latest conflict has driven crude oil prices sharply higher over the past two days.
Fresh Strikes: CENTCOM said that more than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft are currently deployed across the Middle East. It stated that the blockade was reimposed at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time while US forces continued operations aimed at degrading Iranian military capabilities. Earlier, CENTCOM announced another wave of strikes against Iran. In a separate post, it said, At 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time today, US forces initiated strikes against Iran.
Washington-Tehran Tensions Escalate: The US military did not disclose the locations or targets involved in the latest strikes. The developments come amid mounting tensions between Washington and Tehran over maritime security and attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy transit route. Earlier in the day, CENTCOM said US forces had completed another coordinated strike campaign against Iranian military infrastructure at 10:15 p.m. Eastern Time on July 13. The five-hour operation targeted key sites in Bushehr, Chabahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa and Bandar Abbas along Iran's southern coast. Precision-guided weapons were used to neutralise Iran's coastal defence systems, missile launch infrastructure, drone facilities and naval capabilities.
Sanctions on Shipping Tycoon Hossein Shamkhani: In response to the US strikes, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), during the third phase of its Operation Nasr 2, targeted US military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait. Meanwhile, the United States imposed sanctions on dozens of individuals, companies and vessels allegedly linked to Iranian shipping businessman Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani. The US Treasury Department described Shamkhani, the son of a senior Iranian security official, as the head of a vast shipping empire. US officials alleged that the network transports Iranian and Russian oil. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the sanctions.
Explosions in Bandar Abbas and Sirik: Explosions were reported in Bandar Abbas and Sirik amid the US offensive. Both locations lie along the Strait of Hormuz and have frequently been targeted during US operations against Iran. Kuwait said it intercepted dozens of Iranian drones and missiles. It also claimed that Iran attacked one of its warships, injuring four soldiers. The Kuwaiti military said it intercepted 33 drones, five cruise missiles and one ballistic missile on Tuesday evening.
US Projectile Reportedly Hits Dehloran: Iran's Fars News Agency claimed that an American projectile struck the city of Dehloran in the southwestern part of Ilam province near the Iraqi border. The agency said no further details about the possible damage were immediately available. CENTCOM accused Iran of targeting civilians across the region. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said nearly a dozen civilians and crew members had been killed in the attacks. He also alleged that Iran had launched dozens of missiles and drones toward neighbouring Gulf countries.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
