US President Donald Trump stated that the United States will be known as the 'Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz' due to the escalation of tensions between the US and Iran.
Military Actions and Blockade
The United States began the third night of military strikes against Iran. President Donald Trump planned to restore the blockade of Iranian ports on Tuesday and proposed imposing a 20 percent fee on cargo in the vital Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the attacks, Trump maintained that reaching an agreement with the Islamic Republic was still possible. This came after Iran attacked two vessels in the strategic waterway, resulting in the death of one crew member, according to the United Arab Emirates.
US military officials reported that their five-hour mission struck targets across Iran, including the coastal cities of Bushehr and Bandar Abbas, with the aim of 'reducing Iran's ability to attack commercial vessels.' Following these strikes, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that it had retaliated by launching missiles and drones at Bahrain, targeting a residential building where US forces were located, as well as other facilities.
Threats and Economic Consequences
On Monday, Trump stated from the White House: 'Tonight we will hit them hard, and tomorrow we will hit them hard.' His announcement of a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz followed attacks by the US and Iran of a scale not seen since the April ceasefire in the Middle East conflict, which heightened doubts about the possibility of achieving a final peace.
Iran began blocking the strait after US and Israeli attacks in February, which prompted Washington to blockade Tehran's ports. However, restrictions eased after the parties reached a preliminary agreement in June.
On Monday, Trump announced that the United States was 'taking over' control of the strait and would impose a 20 percent levy on all cargo passing through it. This statement drew ridicule from Iran and accusations of 'piracy.' US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that Iranian ports on this waterway would be blockaded from 20:00 GMT on Tuesday.
Oil prices sharply rose by more than nine percent on Monday due to fears of renewed conflict, and they rose again by more than one percent on Tuesday. Brent crude oil traded at $83 per barrel on Tuesday morning.
Conflict Expansion and Diplomacy
Tehran launched strikes against other US allies in the region, including Jordan, which reported the downing of four missiles fired by Iran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran stated that its strikes were aimed at US forces at an airbase and called on Jordanians to present a 'serious demand for the removal of occupying American bases from the region.'
These attacks occurred after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran announced strikes on Monday against Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Oman. Iran insists that it is only targeting US interests in the Persian Gulf, but its military analyst stated that any cooperation by Gulf countries with the United States would be considered an 'act of war.'
Trump formally notified Congress last week about the resumption of military conflict against Iran, as confirmed by the White House to the AFP, granting the Pentagon an additional 60 days for operations in the region without Congressional approval. In addition to measures in the Strait of Hormuz, the US president also threatened to destroy Pikex mountain, a deeply buried nuclear facility near Natanz, where Western intelligence suspects Iran of developing an undeclared enrichment facility.
He told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt: 'Tell the Iranians to be ready. Let them know that we are coming (and) that they can't do anything about it.' Trump also posted on Truth Social that the United States would be 'known as the 'GUARDIAN OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ'' and would impose a 20 percent commission on all cargo transported through this waterway. Trump clarified, however, that 'all other countries will have fair and open use of the strait.'
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sarcastically responded on X that Trump was 'absolutely right' that the guarantor of safe passage should receive compensation, but Tehran would take less. He noted: '20% is certainly too much.' Washington strongly opposes Tehran's desire to levy tolls in the strait, which is generally prohibited by international law.
Possibility of Settlement
Despite all signs to the contrary, Trump stated on Monday that an agreement with Tehran to end the war was still possible. Iranian Foreign Ministry representative Esmail Bakae previously stated on Monday that the June memorandum of understanding, which served as the basis for negotiations and the lifting of the US blockade, was in 'crisis.' Bakae added that Iran would ignore its obligations under the agreement if Washington did the same, but also reported that Tehran continues negotiations with mediators from Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman to prevent further escalation. Bader Al-Saif, a Chatham House researcher, suggested that the escalation of attacks would only postpone a permanent agreement, as 'both sides want to end the deadlock on their own terms, and it is becoming harder for them to do so.'
