US Blocks Iranian Ports Again as Iran Hits Back

The Middle East is becoming more unstable with ongoing missile and drone strikes. The Strait of Hormuz is at the center of this tension.

On Wednesday morning, the US military put a blockade back in place on Iranian ports. Iran responded by launching more attacks targeting eight US bases in the region, including in Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain. Missile alerts were issued in Bahrain and Kuwait due to incoming Iranian attacks.

Al Jazeera reported that Iran's military called the attack the eighth phase of its “Saeqeh” operation.

They also stated that explosive drones struck areas at Jordan’s Azraq airbase where F-18 fighter jets and large equipment are stored. This was the second time these areas were targeted.

PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that US President Donald Trump announced the blockade's return on Monday. He also mentioned a 20 percent cargo charge on all other ships, but later took that statement back.

In reaction, Iran’s IRGC warned that it would stop all energy exports from the Middle East. They said, “The export of oil and gas from the region will be either for everyone or for no one,” according to Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, the US conducted another round of strikes on Tuesday night. They targeted many sites in Iran over seven hours. At least seven Iranian soldiers died in this attack, which the Iranian government called “cowardly aggression.”

Iran vowed to respond, declaring, “a decisive response will be given to this crime at the appropriate time.”

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) explained that they targeted Iranian missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, and coastal defense systems during the seven-hour operation. They said their goal was to “further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian crews.”

The Iranian Ministry of Health reported that over 260 people were injured in the recent US strikes.

Despite this, President Trump has threatened to attack Iran’s civilian infrastructure if no agreement is reached by next week.

He said, “Next week, it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges. We’re going to knock out all their power plants. We’re going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate,” in an interview with Fox News.