Iran, ninth night of US raids: Tehran hits two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz

The war between the United States and Iran is entering a new phase of dangerous escalation. On the night of Sunday, July 19, into Monday, July 20, the U.S. Central Command announced the launch of the ninth consecutive wave of attacks against Iranian territory , claiming it wanted to reduce the military capabilities used by Tehran to threaten commercial vessels and civilian crews transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The operations targeted command centers, air defense systems, coastal surveillance facilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military communications networks.

Centcom targets Iran's missile and maritime capabilities

According to the US Central Command, the strikes were planned to compromise Iranian forces' ability to coordinate military operations along the coast and in the strategic sea connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM explained that it also targeted the infrastructure needed to launch missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as the equipment used to monitor and attack naval vessels. The US command's official website reports nightly operations against Iranian targets starting July 12, with the military campaign gradually expanding.

Explosions reported in several Iranian cities

Iranian media have reported explosions and shelling in numerous areas of the country. Among the locations cited are Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr, Bandar Imam Khomeini, Sirik, and Jask . In Tabriz, in northwestern Iran, local authorities have reported at least one casualty. The area is considered strategic due to the presence of installations and underground bases linked to the missile capabilities of the Revolutionary Guards. However, information on the targets hit and the overall extent of the damage remains incomplete and comes largely from government or military sources on the sides involved.

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Attacks also in the nuclear city of Bushehr

The new wave of strikes reportedly also affected several locations in the southern Iranian port city of Bushehr , home to the country's only operational civilian nuclear power plant. Provincial governor Mohammad Mozaffari, quoted by the official IRNA news agency, said that some parts of the city had been hit by American shells. There is currently no independent confirmation of direct involvement of the nuclear power plant, and no reliable information has been released regarding any damage to the facility.

The previous alarm for the Darkhovin facility

The escalation comes amid ongoing Iranian allegations of an attack on the nuclear power plant under construction in Darkhovin , in the southwestern province of Khuzestan. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it was examining the reports, specifying that the facility is still in the early stages of construction and that, during the last visit by inspectors, it contained no nuclear material. The agency does not believe the incident posed a radiological risk, but Director General Rafael Grossi reiterated his call for military restraint near all sites linked to the nuclear program.

Trump: "We struck hard in honor of fallen soldiers."

US President Donald Trump , speaking to reporters upon his return to Washington, directly linked the latest military operation to the losses suffered by US forces in the region. "We hit Iran hard in honor of the fallen soldiers," he said. Trump referred specifically to the soldiers killed during Iranian attacks on US installations in Jordan and other deadly incidents in Iraq.

The death toll among American soldiers rises

U.S. Central Command confirmed that an American service member died on Saturday, July 18, in northern Iraq during the controlled detonation of the wreckage of a downed Iranian attack drone. A second service member was injured. In the previous days, two soldiers had been killed during an attack on a military facility in Jordan, while another service member was being investigated after unidentified remains were found. Since the war began on February 28, 2026, at least 17 U.S. service members have been killed, while the number of injured has exceeded 420.

Tehran announces it has hit two oil tankers in Hormuz

Iran's response focused primarily on the Strait of Hormuz . The Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that two oil tankers had exploded and been immobilized while attempting to cross a southern route considered by Tehran to be dangerous and unauthorized. Iranian authorities did not disclose the names of the vessels, their flags, the number of crew members, or the presence of any casualties. The incident was not immediately independently verified.

A ship on fire off the coast of Oman

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, the British body that monitors the safety of commercial shipping, reported a vessel on fire in the Strait of Hormuz, northwest of the Omani town of Kumzar. Initial reports suggest the vessel was hit by a shell and the crew subsequently abandoned the vessel, which remained adrift. Initially, the British body stated that it had not yet determined the cause of the fire, making it impossible to establish with certainty whether the incident coincided with one of the oil tankers identified by the IRGC.

The Strait of Hormuz at the center of the conflict

Control of shipping through Hormuz has become the main battleground between Washington and Tehran. Before the war, approximately one-fifth of the world's oil trade passed through this strait , as well as a significant share of liquefied natural gas exports from the Gulf states. The United States considers the strait an international waterway and accuses Iran of attempting to turn control of shipping traffic into a tool of political and economic pressure. Tehran, on the other hand, contests the passage of ships that do not comply with its safety regulations.

Rubio calls for greater commitment from other countries

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Iran of using the Strait of Hormuz as leverage against the entire international community. Before departing for the Philippines, where he is scheduled to meet with foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Rubio reiterated that Washington will continue to protect global shipping, while calling on other states to contribute military or financial resources. The Trump administration representative, however, stated that the United States remains open to a diplomatic solution, provided any negotiations are concrete and credible.

The Pasdaran claimed responsibility for the attacks in Kuwait

The Revolutionary Guards also announced that they had struck U.S. military installations in Kuwait , including an early warning radar system that was destroyed by drones. According to the Iranian version, they also hit a depot for aircraft equipment and spare parts and a hangar for MQ-9 drones at the Ali Al Salem air base. The Kuwaiti government confirmed that it had activated defenses against hostile drones, while Iranian claims about the extent of damage to U.S. facilities have not been independently verified.

Iranian claims responsibility for attacks in Jordan

Tehran also claimed to have targeted several American military aircraft at Aqaba airport in Jordan. The IRGC claims to have used ballistic missiles against transport aircraft and command and control vehicles, causing serious damage. Again, insufficient independent evidence has been released to confirm Iran's alleged toll. Jordanian authorities had already evacuated some areas of Aqaba airport and port following reports of a credible threat.

Tensions spread to Bahrain, Syria and the Persian Gulf

Alarm bells also sounded in Bahrain , home of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, while Kuwait and Jordan announced interception operations against missiles and drones. The Revolutionary Guards also claimed responsibility for an attack on an alleged special operations command center in the Syrian region of Al-Tanf. A Syrian military source, however, denied a previous Iranian bombing of the base, from which US forces reportedly withdrew in recent months. The picture of claims thus remains characterized by conflicting versions that are difficult to verify on the ground.

The price of gas reaches 60 euros

The economic consequences of the escalation are already evident on energy markets. On the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, TTF natural gas contracts rose 4,6 percent, reaching €60 per megawatt-hour , the highest level since last March. The rise reflects fears that the reduction in traffic through Hormuz could hinder liquefied natural gas exports, especially from Qatar and other regional producers, just as European countries are trying to rebuild supplies ahead of the winter.

Brent oil returns above $90

Oil prices also surged again. Brent crude surpassed $90 a barrel , reaching its highest level since June 11, after gaining nearly 16 percent the previous week. The number of vessels able to pass through Hormuz has dropped significantly, and many shipowners are considering suspending voyages or adopting alternative routes. According to data cited by Reuters, only four vessels completed the passage on Sunday, compared to eight the previous day.

Growing fears over inflation and supplies

A prolonged disruption to energy supplies from the Gulf would have direct consequences on fuel costs, maritime transport, utility bills, and the prices of industrial products and food. Tensions have already driven up ship insurance costs and premiums for transportation in areas considered high-risk. Operators fear that opposing military actions could transform the regional security crisis into a new global energy shock, impacting inflation and international economic growth.

The fragile diplomatic agreement is now close to collapse

The new wave of attacks follows the progressive deterioration of the interim agreement reached about a month ago to halt the fighting and initiate broader discussions on Iran's nuclear program, regional security, and freedom of navigation. The United States and Iran accuse each other of violating the agreements, while mediators' attempts to bring delegations back to the negotiating table have yielded no concrete results. The return to daily bombing and attacks on maritime infrastructure raise concerns that the scope for a negotiated solution is rapidly shrinking.

The risk of an ever-widening regional war

The involvement of Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria demonstrates that the conflict is no longer limited to Iranian territory and the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. Each new operation increases the risk of miscalculations, military incidents, and attacks on essential civilian infrastructure, including power plants, water systems, ports, and airports. The ninth consecutive night of American strikes thus represents a further escalation in a crisis that threatens the stability of the entire Middle East and the security of the world's main energy routes.