Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have risen sharply. Iran announced the closure of the maritime passage "until further notice," despite its reopening being one of the points foreseen by the Memorandum of Understanding signed last June. Shortly before the announcement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Pasdaran) struck with a missile the merchant vessel M/V Gfs Galaxy, a container ship flying the Cypriot flag that was attempting to cross the Strait. A second commercial ship was also hit, according to converging reports from multiple outlets.

In response, the United States launched a new wave of raids against Iranian targets. According to US military sources, 140 targets were hit. The website Axios reports that the attacks targeted air and maritime surveillance radar, missile and drone depots, launch sites, and surface-to-air missile batteries.

The escalation rapidly extended to the rest of the Gulf. The United Arab Emirates were struck by an Iranian missile attack, Bahrain activated air raid sirens, and explosions were reported in the Qatari capital Doha. Local authorities, as reported by the New York Times, indicate the attacks came hours after the US raids against Iran.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that "Iran made the wrong choice, now it pays."

The developments follow a message spread the previous day by Mojtaba Khamenei, who vowed revenge for the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "It is a desire of our nation and must certainly be fulfilled," he declared. Without explicitly naming anyone, among those considered responsible for the killing of the Supreme Leader, according to the Iranian newspaper Hamshahri, would figure US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The newspaper published an image depicting thirteen alleged responsible parties in orange detainee uniforms, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.

Trump had declared on the social network Truth: "A thousand missiles are ready to launch and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran if I am killed." The president added that "orders have already been given and the military is ready to completely destroy all areas of Iran." Trump claims to have been the main target of Tehran for days, before the alarm raised by Israel over an alleged Iranian plan to assassinate him.

On the diplomatic front, the path toward a peace agreement remains stalled after the latest attacks. Following a mission to Tehran, Qatari officials traveled to Muscat for new talks between Iran and Oman, in an attempt to foster de-escalation that currently appears distant. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was present. According to CBS, a US delegation was also expected but at the last moment did not attend.

During the night, before the Hormuz closure announcement, the first indications emerged from the talks. According to CNN, Oman had proposed dividing the Strait into two corridors: one in Omani waters with free navigation, and one in Iranian waters accessible only with prior authorization from Tehran. The arrangement, which according to Axios Iranian negotiators were ready to submit to the leadership, did not include any toll.