The United States has launched fresh 'heavy' strikes on Iran after a days-long pause, hitting dozens of Revolutionary Guard targets, as fears grow that the conflict is widening across the Middle East.
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Key facts
- The US military says it struck dozens of Revolutionary Guard targets in Iran on Thursday.
- The strikes followed a days-long pause in US military action.
- Jordan's military says it intercepted five missiles targeting the kingdom.
- A QatarEnergy-controlled LNG tanker exited the strait of Hormuz overnight, the first such vessel visible on tracking data to leave since 11 July.
The United States has launched fresh strikes on Iran after a days-long pause, hitting what its military described as dozens of Revolutionary Guard targets, according to the Guardian’s live coverage. The escalation has intensified fears that the conflict could widen across the Middle East.
The US military characterised the latest action as ‘heavy’ strikes carried out on Thursday. The renewed offensive came after several days without such attacks, marking a significant shift after the earlier pause.
Regional spillover was evident as Jordan’s military said it intercepted five missiles that had targeted the kingdom. The interception underscored concerns that hostilities are extending beyond Iran and the United States to involve other countries in the region.
The situation has also affected commercial shipping in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. A liquefied natural gas tanker controlled by QatarEnergy exited the strait of Hormuz overnight, the Guardian reported, citing data from analytics firms.
According to data from Kpler and LSEG, the Al Areesh tanker was the first such vessel visible on ship-tracking data to leave the waterway since 11 July. The tanker had loaded a cargo at Qatar’s Ras Laffan terminal around 4-6 July and sailed out of the strait overnight on 29 July.
The strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy supplies, and movements of tankers through the channel are closely watched as an indicator of how the conflict is affecting international trade and shipping confidence.
Why it matters
An escalation between the US and Iran risks drawing in other regional players and disrupting global energy supplies that pass through the strait of Hormuz. Reports of missile interceptions in Jordan and changes in tanker traffic signal that the effects of the conflict are already reaching beyond the immediate battlefield.
Frequently asked questions
What did the US strike in Iran?
According to the Guardian, the US military said it hit dozens of Revolutionary Guard targets in Iran during 'heavy' strikes carried out on Thursday, following a days-long pause.
Was Jordan affected by the conflict?
Yes. Jordan's military said it intercepted five missiles that had targeted the kingdom, according to the reporting.
How is the conflict affecting shipping in the strait of Hormuz?
A QatarEnergy-controlled LNG tanker, the Al Areesh, exited the strait of Hormuz overnight on 29 July. According to Kpler and LSEG data, it was the first such vessel visible on ship-tracking data to leave the waterway since 11 July.
Timeline
- Middle East crisis live: tensions rise in region after US launches ‘heavy’ strikes on Iran
The Guardian World: Jordanian military says it intercepted five missiles targeting the kingdom after US military says it hit dozens of Revolutionary Guard targets on Thursday US launches fresh strikes on Iran after days-long pause, amid fears the war is widening A liquefied natural gas tanker contro