The United States has conducted strikes on over 100 locations in Iran in response to a missile attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz. The crew of the container ship had to abandon it while it was on fire. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on various targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, marking a significant escalation. The US Central Command reported hitting approximately 140 targets, including missile and drone launch sites, ammunition depots, and communication facilities.

This development occurs within the context of ongoing military actions initiated by President Donald Trump in the Middle East earlier this year, in partnership with Israel. Despite being halfway through a 60-day period aimed at achieving a peace agreement, the situation shows no signs of resolution. Labour minister Sir Chris Bryant expressed concerns about the economic impact of the Gulf crisis on a global scale and called for de-escalation and diplomatic negotiations.

The US emphasized that the recent strikes were intended to diminish Iran’s capacity to threaten civilian and commercial vessels navigating through the strait. President Trump declared an end to the interim deal in the Iran conflict and boasted about military actions against Iran. Disputes arose over the status of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and gas transportation, with Iran claiming it was not open despite US assertions.

In response to the attack on the container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, where an Indian crew member went missing, India condemned the incident and collaborated with Oman on search and rescue efforts. India stressed the importance of unhindered navigation through the strait for international shipping.

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