17 Latest Updates on the Escalating US-Iran War, Involving Iraq, China, and Russia
The conflict between the United States (US) and Iran has escalated dramatically again since last week. The US military launched new strikes against dozens of targets in Iran while simultaneously imposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports. President Donald Trump has even begun to open the possibility of ground operations. Tensions have also widened after Iran threatened the energy export routes of US-allied countries, while several pro-Iranian groups in the region have declared their readiness to join the war. Here are the 17 latest developments in the US-Iran war:
- US Strikes Dozens of Iranian Military Targets
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it had completed the latest wave of strikes against Iran on Tuesday night, US time. The operation, lasting approximately seven hours, targeted dozens of military sites around the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s coastal areas. In its statement, CENTCOM said US fighter jets, drones, and warships fired precision munitions to destroy missile sites, drones, naval facilities, and coastal defence systems. Washington stated the operation aimed to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten international merchant shipping.
- US Officially Imposes Naval Blockade on Iran
Simultaneously with the air operation, the US military also announced the resumption of a naval blockade against ships heading to or departing from Iranian ports. According to CENTCOM, the blockade took effect at 4:00 p.m. US East Coast time and is intended to restrict Iran’s ability to conduct trade and distribute logistics via sea routes. This move is expected to further pressure Tehran’s oil exports.
- Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Threatens World Oil Routes
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that the oil and gas export routes of countries supporting the US could become the next targets if the war continues. In a statement broadcast on state television IRIB, the IRGC said that energy exports in the region “must be for everyone or for no one.” The statement is seen as a threat to energy infrastructure and shipping in the Gulf region.
- Iran Claims to Have Struck US Fifth Fleet Headquarters
The IRGC claimed to have successfully attacked the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. Iran stated the attack destroyed the command centre, naval logistics centre, warehouses, and fuel tanks. The US government has yet to confirm or respond to this claim.
- Iraqi Militias Ready to Join the War
The Iran-backed armed group Kataib Hezbollah has stated it will directly join the war if the US expands its military operations against Iran. “If a new war is launched against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the participation of the resistance forces will be direct and certain. This decision stems from our ideology and is non-negotiable,” said group official Abu Mujahid al-Assaf.
- US Democratic Party Begins to Reject Military Aid to Israel
Opposition to US military aid for Israel is growing in Congress. Democratic Representative Greg Casar, who leads the progressive caucus in the US House of Representatives, stated he would support an amendment to halt part of the military aid worth approximately US$3.3 billion to Israel. According to Casar, it is time for Washington to stop using public funds that are seen as prolonging the conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, and dragging the US into a war with Iran. Fellow Representative Ro Khanna also stated he would support the proposal after previously being detained by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. “I cannot vote in favour of aid to a country that commits genocide and uses taxpayer money to detain American citizens like me,” he said.
- Iran Calls on Jordanian and Kuwaiti Citizens to Expel US Forces
The IRGC called on the people of Jordan and Kuwait to reject the presence of US military bases in their countries. The call was made after Iran claimed to have launched the sixth wave of Operation Nasr 2, targeting the US airbase in Azraq, Jordan. In its statement, the IRGC claimed to have successfully destroyed hangars used to store US F-15, F-16, F-35 fighter jets and MQ-9 drones. Iran also urged the people of Jordan and Kuwait to seize every opportunity to “expel the American occupation forces” and attack US military facilities located in both countries.
- Jordan Shoots Down Three Iranian Ballistic Missiles
The Jordanian military confirmed its air defence systems successfully intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles fired from Iranian territory early Wednesday morning. The three missiles had entered the airspace of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan before being destroyed. The military said engineering teams had secured the missile debris that fell in several locations. The Jordanian government stressed it would not tolerate violations of its airspace sovereignty or the use of the country’s territory as an attack corridor that could threaten national security.
- UN Security Council Extends Red Sea Monitoring
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) approved a resolution to extend monitoring of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea for the next six months. The resolution was approved by 13 member states, while Russia and China abstained. With this decision, the UN Secretary-General will continue to submit monthly reports on the security situation in the Red Sea to the Security Council. The Houthi group began attacking commercial ships in late 2023, citing retaliation for Israeli military operations in Gaza, disrupting one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
- Iranian Grain Silos Also Targeted
The latest US military strikes were also reported to have hit a grain silo or storage warehouse in Iran.