EditU.S. launches fresh strikes on Iran as Trump threatens power plants and bridges
The latest U.S. military actions come amid Iran’s continued missile attacks on shipping and infrastructure
The United States has carried out new strikes on Iranian targets, while President Donald Trump has publicly threatened attacks on power plants and bridges as the conflict with Iran escalates further in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Reuters reporting, the latest U.S. military actions come amid Iran’s continued missile attacks on shipping and infrastructure, with Trump warning of broader strikes to cripple Iran’s energy and transport capabilities. This marks a sharp intensification since the fragile ceasefire began unravelling, raising fears of wider regional instability and major disruptions to global energy flows.
Trump reinstates Hormuz blockade after brief flip-flop
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains highly volatile, with fresh U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets and Iran continuing attacks on shipping, according to the latest Reuters reporting. President Donald Trump has reinstated a naval blockade of Iranian ports, with the U.S. military announcing it would take effect on Tuesday afternoon (ET). This comes just days after Trump initially floated the idea of imposing fees on vessels transiting the strait, only to appear to backtrack or modify the proposal amid international pushback.
In his latest statements, Trump has emphasised that the United States will act as the “guardian of the Hormuz strait” and seek reimbursement from Gulf nations for the costs of providing security, rather than a direct toll on all shipping. The U.S. has resumed strikes and reinforced its military posture in the region, while Iran has warned of further retaliation, including potential power plant targets in the Gulf region. Several Iran-linked vessels reportedly rushed through the strait ahead of the blockade’s enforcement.
This marks a significant escalation since our previous report, where Trump had proposed a more direct fee-based system.
Iran escalates attacks in Strait of Hormuz while Trump proposes blockade and fees
The conflict continues to risk drawing in other regional actors. The apparent shift reflects ongoing diplomatic and economic sensitivities, with global energy markets watching closely as the vital chokepoint for oil and gas shipments faces renewed disruption risks. Shipping traffic has already slowed noticeably, and further incidents could have serious implications for energy prices worldwide.
With Reuters
Caption: Iranians ride and drive past a large-scale billboard displayed on a building at Valiasr Square, in Tehran, Iran, 13 July 2026. In an official written statement on 11 July, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed retaliation for the killing of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
Updated: July 15, 2026 - 06:57
