US, Iran Exchange Strikes Amid Hormuz Closure Claims

POLICY WIRE — US and Iranian forces exchanged heavy missile and drone assaults on Sunday, with Tehran reportedly targeting US facilities in states across the Gulf. Iran also announced it had again closed the vital Strait of Hormuz, according to reports.

The US attacks followed a statement from the IRGC Navy, which indicated it had struck an ‘unauthorised’ vessel traveling on a non-approved route. US Central Command reported that its forces hit 140 Iranian military targets on Saturday, part of more than 300 targets struck over three nights. These strikes were conducted to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels freely transiting the strait, US Central Command stated.

Iran asserted that it had closed the strait after firing a warning shot that struck a vessel on an unapproved route. On Sunday, Iran also reported disabling a second vessel. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards declared that the strait would remain closed until the end of US interference in this region.

Conversely, US Central Command stated that commercial vessels continue to transit through the waterway. The Strait of Hormuz, prior to the conflict, carried one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments.

This escalation follows a series of attacks on commercial ships in the area. The recent exchanges prompted President Donald Trump to declare an end to a ceasefire. This ceasefire was intended to halt fighting that reports indicate the US — and Israel initiated on February 28. President Trump, however, reportedly left open the possibility of continued negotiations.