U.S. forces launched strikes against Iranian targets shortly before the U.S. resumed its naval blockade of Iranian ports in and around the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the latest round of strikes is aimed at "degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping".
The blockade is set to restart at 4 p.m. ET, with strikes beginning at 3 p.m. ET. CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper noted that Iran had "intentionally" targeted civilians and attacked seven commercial ships over the past week, resulting in about a dozen crew members killed or missing.
President Donald Trump announced that the blockade would be reinstated as Tehran's efforts to forcibly control the strait appear to have ramped back up.
The U.S. Treasury announced new sanctions aimed at dismantling the "illicit shipping empire" described as a "major enabler behind Iran's oil exports".
Commercial shipping traffic through the waterway, which previously saw 20% of the world's oil, has sharply dropped in recent days.
