Escalating Tensions: US and Iran Engage in Missile Strikes Amid Gulf Conflict

The conflict between the United States and Iran has intensified, marked by missile strikes and the closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz. Iran's military actions have raised concerns over global oil supplies and the stability of the Gulf region. As both nations engage in retaliatory attacks, the situation remains precarious, with implications for international shipping and diplomatic negotiations. The recent developments have cast doubt on the interim agreements aimed at de-escalating tensions, leaving the door open for further conflict or potential negotiations. This article delves into the latest events and their significance in the ongoing geopolitical landscape.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 13, 2026, 09:45 IST

Intensifying Conflict in the Gulf

The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran saw a significant escalation on Sunday, with both nations launching new missile and drone strikes. Iran targeted US military installations throughout the Gulf region and announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil shipping route. Reports indicate that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have 'completely destroyed' fuel tanks, Patriot air defense systems, and a strategic radar system at two air bases in Kuwait, while also attacking facilities at Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain. This surge in hostilities has cast doubt on the interim agreement reached last month between the US and Iran, which aimed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and conclude the conflict after 60 days of negotiations.

Gulf Tensions Rise As Both Sides Exchange Attacks

The recent strikes are part of a continuing cycle of retaliatory attacks, with Iran seeking to assert its control over shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz. The attacks on Sunday represented a notable escalation in both scale and reach. For the first time since April, Iran directed strikes towards Qatar, which has been mediating ceasefire discussions. The United Arab Emirates, which had not faced attacks since early May, reported that its air defenses intercepted Iranian missiles and drones. In response, the US military expanded its operations, launching additional strikes against Iran to diminish its capacity to target civilian vessels and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command confirmed that American forces shot down an Iranian cruise missile and a one-way attack drone.

US President Donald Trump commented on the recent strikes, stating, 'We're beating them up.' Iranian media reported explosions and missile strikes near the port cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas, which host significant military facilities overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the nearby Qeshm Island. Iran's foreign ministry condemned what it termed 'aggressive' US actions over the weekend, asserting that talks held in Muscat, Oman, failed due to US pressure.

While Trump has suggested that the ceasefire may be effectively over, he has also indicated a willingness to continue negotiations. Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, stated on social media, 'The era of one-sided deals is OVER. We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking.'

Hormuz Closure Raises Fresh Concerns Over Global Oil Supplies

The conflict, which escalated following US and Israeli military actions against Iran on February 28, has destabilized the Gulf region. Iran has consistently targeted nations hosting US military bases and has leveraged its position near the Strait of Hormuz to disrupt global shipping. Iran aims to establish a permanent system requiring vessels to obtain its permission before transiting the strait, which typically carries about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. On Saturday, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz after firing a warning shot at a vessel it deemed to be on an unauthorized route. On Sunday, it claimed to have disabled another vessel.

Iran's newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority declared that passage through the strait is currently impossible due to 'recent illegal movements of US military forces in the region,' adding that permits would be issued 'as soon as stability and calm are restored.' The United States dismissed Iran's assertions, affirming its commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation despite what it described as 'aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary declarations' from Tehran. The US stated, 'Iran does not control the strait. Traffic is flowing.' The US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center also noted that, despite the heightened security risks, an expanded southern route near Oman remains open for vessels traveling in both directions.

On Saturday, US Central Command reported that American forces had targeted 140 Iranian military sites and over 300 targets across three nights to weaken Iran's capacity to attack commercial shipping. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for destroying a command-and-control center and drone hangars in Jordan, targeting a US radar site and rocket launch systems in Kuwait, attacking US aircraft carrier support and refueling platforms in Oman, and destroying a jet maintenance center and command facility in Qatar. Qatar reported injuries to three individuals, including a child, from falling shrapnel and stated that Iran is 'fully legally responsible' for the attack. The UAE detected missile threats outside its borders, while Bahrain intercepted several Iranian aerial assaults. Jordan reported missile strikes, Oman faced drone attacks, and Kuwait confirmed damage to an oil drilling platform that injured one worker. Oman summoned Iran's ambassador to protest the drone strikes, while the US Embassy in Oman advised American citizens in Duqm and Musandam to shelter in place.