United States and Iran have once again exchanged direct attacks after several weeks of intermittent confrontations, in an escalation that places the Middle East on the brink of a regional crisis. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed a new offensive against targets of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran, while Tehran responded with missiles and drones against U.S. positions in several countries in the region.
The new U.S. offensive occurred after Washington accused Iranian forces of attempting to attack commercial navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. military personnel deployed in the region. CENTCOM assured that its forces struck air defense systems, radars, facilities, and maritime assets, capabilities related to mine laying and communication centers.
The response from Iran came with a new wave of missiles and drones against U.S. facilities and assets in Jordan, Bahrain, and Iraq. Jordan reported the interception of several projectiles and Kuwait also communicated that it had shot down drones and missiles, while so far no U.S. casualties had been reported from these attacks.
The most serious incident for the civilian population occurred in southern Iran. Iranian authorities reported that a U.S. attack hit a house in Kuhestak, in the Sirik County, in Hormozgan Province, where a wedding was taking place. The balance later disseminated by Iranian authorities raised the death toll to five dead, including a child, and at least 63 injured.
Tehran has described the attack as "brutal" and has accused Washington of attacking civilians. The United States, for its part, maintains that its offensive is directed against Iranian military capabilities and presents it as a response to the actions of the Revolutionary Guard against commercial navigation and U.S. forces.
Washington expands the targets of its offensive
The U.S. operation was not limited to a single point. CENTCOM indicated that the new wave affected different capabilities linked to Iranian military operations, including air defenses, radars, maritime facilities, and systems related to mine placement. The U.S. command later declared this phase of the attacks concluded.
The Strait of Hormuz is at the center of the new escalation. Washington links its operations to Iranian attempts to obstruct commercial navigation, while Tehran has threatened to harden its response if the United States tries to impede its movements in this maritime route.
The importance of Hormuz transcends the military confrontation. A fundamental part of the world's oil circulates through this passage, and any prolonged interruption can affect energy prices and maritime transport. El crudo Brent reached over 95 dollars per barrel during the new escalation before moderating part of the rise.