Washington re-instates Iran blockade, threatens more strikes

US President Donald Trump renewed his threats to attack power plants and bridges in Iran unless Tehran returns to the negotiation table for a permanent ceasefire agreement. The threats come after the US military hit “dozens” of military targets near Hormuz early this morning, while Iran reported at least three areas being attacked and 30 civilian casualties. Trump also threatened to target Pickaxe Mountain — a heavily fortified site near a damaged uranium enrichment facility. Iranian media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas and Kish Island.

The latest exchange of threats and strikes come after Adnoc oil tankers were targeted by Iranian cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, resulting in one death and eight injuries, the UAE’s Defense Ministry said. The Mombasa and Al Bahiyah were attacked in Omani territorial waters and sustained material damage after fires broke out on board.

You block, I block: Washington is reinstating its naval blockade on Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said, and initially decided the US would also impose a 20% cargo fee for passage through the strait (although he later walked that back under Gulf pressure). Iran responded by threatening its own expanded blockade of vital waterways, presumably alluding to Bab El Mandeb strait to the Red Sea, which it could tap its Houthi allies in Yemen to orchestrate.

But the Houthis have their own battles to face: Houthi ballistic missiles and drones targeted Abha International Airport on Monday, the first direct attack on Saudi territory since the truce froze the Yemen war in 2022. The strikes were in retaliation for an attack on Sanaa’s airport, which the Houthis blamed on Saudi Arabia. Coalition spokesperson Turki Al Malki said air defenses dealt with ballistic missiles launched toward the southern region, and no casualties were reported. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree declared the “de-escalation phase” over and warned the strikes “will not go unanswered or unpunished.”