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A fresh exchange of military action between the United States and Iran has heightened instability in the Middle East, with renewed fighting around the Strait of Hormuz driving crude oil prices to their highest level in four weeks and raising concerns over global energy supplies.
Iran launched ballistic missiles toward a U.S. military installation in Jordan on Tuesday, while American forces carried out hours of air operations against Iranian positions for a third consecutive night.
The renewed violence follows Tehran’s announcement that it had shut the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to restore restrictions on Iranian maritime traffic and unveil plans to impose a 20 percent charge on cargo vessels using the strategic passage.
The latest confrontation has cast doubt on the future of a memorandum of understanding reached last month, which had been expected to reduce hostilities.
Analysts warn that although both governments appear to be avoiding a full-scale conflict, the possibility of further escalation remains.
Yezid Sayigh, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Center, said neither side was likely to pursue an all-out war but cautioned that miscalculations by either Tehran or Washington could quickly worsen the situation.
The conflict has also become a political challenge in the United States, where rising fuel costs have fueled public dissatisfaction ahead of congressional elections scheduled for November.
Global oil markets reacted sharply to the renewed instability, with Brent crude climbing five percent to $87.49 per barrel, its highest level since mid-June.
The wider regional conflict began after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory attacks against Israel and Gulf countries hosting American military facilities.
The fighting also reignited clashes involving Hezbollah in Lebanon, leaving thousands dead and forcing millions from their homes, particularly in Iran and Lebanon.
Diplomatic efforts nevertheless continued, with Lebanese and Israeli representatives meeting in Rome on Tuesday to discuss the implementation of a U.S.-mediated arrangement aimed at securing Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed responsibility for the missile strike targeting the U.S. base in Jordan.
Jordanian authorities reported intercepting four incoming missiles after they crossed into the country’s airspace.
Officials noted that the latest attack was considerably smaller than previous barrages witnessed earlier in the conflict.
Andreas Krieg of King’s College London’s School of Security Studies said the situation appeared to have returned to the lower level of confrontation seen before the recent agreement, describing it as a controlled standoff unlikely to produce a decisive military outcome.
Iranian state media also reported American air raids on several locations, including Bushehr and Choghadak, where multiple explosions were heard.
Provincial officials said at least four areas in Bushehr were struck, leaving four people injured.
Tensions intensified after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, claiming a vessel had violated its designated route before being fired upon.
In response, President Donald Trump announced that Washington would reintroduce maritime restrictions suspended under last month’s agreement and proceed with the proposed transit levy.
The U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center said the renewed blockade would come into force at 2000 GMT on Tuesday.
Tehran has continued to assert authority over the waterway, insisting that commercial vessels must obtain its approval before transiting the route.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said his country would continue safeguarding the strait, while dismissing the proposed U.S. transit charge as excessive.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, handling roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments before the latest crisis.
Analysts estimate that a 20 percent transit fee could generate approximately $240 million daily if implemented.
The United Nations’ maritime agency rejected the proposal, stating that international law does not permit compulsory tolls for vessels navigating international straits.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates reported that Iranian missiles struck two oil tankers travelling through the waterway.
One Indian sailor was killed and eight others sustained injuries.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard later claimed responsibility for disabling two supertankers, alleging that the vessels had ignored security warnings and deliberately switched off their navigation systems while passing through the strategic channel.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong