Iran Strikes US Radar Sites, Ships, and Military Base in Northern Iraq

Following American strikes against Iran, Tehran launched missile attacks on the US-owned Harir Airbase in northern Iraq. Iranian news agency Nour News reported on Thursday that Iran also struck a US radar site in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq as well as American vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.

Earlier on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump accused Tehran of stalling negotiations and stated that the United States intended to launch large-scale strikes against Iran. In the early hours of Thursday local time, Iranian media reported explosions in the cities of Minab, Mohr, Bandar Abbas, and Sirik. Air defence systems were activated in Tehran and the country’s southern regions.

The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces also reported a violation of southern Iranian airspace by a US F-16 fighter jet. The headquarters subsequently announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all ships and threatened a devastating response should further US attacks occur.

The Strait of Hormuz was completely closed by Iran on Thursday, including to commercial vessels, following renewed American strikes. The Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters stressed that any ship attempting passage would become a target.

“American claims that ships are crossing the Strait of Hormuz are false,” stated Khatam al-Anbiya, as quoted by The Cradle.

Iranian authorities stated the latest blockade encompasses oil tankers and commercial vessels. Any ship attempting passage will be targeted.

The Strait of Hormuz had previously been freely navigated by merchant vessels distributing approximately 20 percent of global oil and gas supplies. The strait’s closure was enacted by Iran in response to US-Israeli strikes in February.

The blockade triggered an energy crisis across various nations. The rising price of Pertamax fuel in Indonesia became one of the direct impacts of that crisis.