US launches fresh strikes on Iran, Tehran retaliates with attacks on bases in Jordan and Bahrain
The US completed a new wave of offensive attacks against dozens of targets in Iran on July 12, aiming to degrade Tehran's ability to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz; Iran responded with airstrikes on US-linked bases in Jordan and Bahrain.
A new round of US strikes
The US military announced it had completed a new wave of offensive attacks against Iran on July 12. The operation, disclosed by CENTCOM, struck dozens of targets across multiple locations with precision munitions. For the first time, the strikes hit air defense systems, alongside coastal radar stations, missile and drone capabilities, and small Iranian boats. The declared goal was to weaken Iran's ability to keep attacking international shipping transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command has completed a new wave of offensive strikes against Iran on July 12.
Iran retaliates in multiple countries
Hours later, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched retaliatory attacks. In the first phase, missiles and drones struck the Prince Hassan airbase in Jordan, setting fire to several large missile silos and fuel depots. The second phase hit the US Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, destroying a helicopter repair and maintenance centre, hangars for P-8 electronic warfare aircraft, and the command and control centre of American drone operations. Iran also claimed to have struck radar systems in Oman and targets in Kuwait. At least one person was killed in earlier strikes on the Iranian coast near Bandar Abbas.
In the second phase of the counteroffensive, important helicopter repair centres, hangars for P-8 electronic warfare aircraft, and the command and control centre of the US Army's child-killing drones at the Sheikh Isa base in Bahrain were destroyed.
Fragile ceasefire collapses
The renewed violence shatters the June 17 ceasefire that was supposed to pause hostilities for 60 days while negotiations took place. Iran declared the diplomacy had been "useless" after the US attacks. US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire was nullified by Iranian attacks on vessels in the strait. Earlier on July 12, Iran had announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and warned of a forceful response to any "illegal" foreign interference.
We bombed them like crazy. They are very, very evil and sick people.
Oil and markets react sharply
The escalation sent oil prices soaring. Benchmark Brent crude jumped more than 4% to approach $80 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate surged up to 5% to roughly $75. Asian stock markets tumbled: the Shanghai Composite fell 2.06%, the Shenzhen Component lost 3.48%, and South Korea's Kospi plunged 5.74%. European indices opened mixed but mostly lower; the Ibex 35 slipped 0.38%, the DAX dipped 0.3%, and only London's FTSE 100 edged up 0.24%. Repsol shares gained 1.9% on the oil spike, while IAG dropped 1.9%.
- Strikes near Bandar Abbas and Qeshm kill at least one maintenance worker; Iran announces closure of Strait of Hormuz.
- CENTCOM completes new wave of offensive attacks against Iran, targeting air defense, radar, missiles, drones, and small boats.
- Iran's Revolutionary Guard retaliates with strikes on Prince Hassan airbase in Jordan and Sheikh Isa airbase in Bahrain; oil prices spike.
- Brent crude
- 4.5 %
- WTI
- 5 %
- Shanghai Composite
- -2.06 %
- Shenzhen Component
- -3.48 %
- Nikkei 225
- -1.92 %
- Kospi
- -5.74 %
- Ibex 35
- -0.38 %
- DAX
- -0.3 %
- FTSE 100
- 0.24 %
- CAC 40
- -0.2 %
What comes next
With the strait a central battleground, Iran insists it will not allow US forces to operate there. The Revolutionary Guard stated it considers the Strait of Hormuz Iranian territory and will not permit "a rebel, child-killing army from the other side of the world" to interfere. The US insists the waterway remains open and rejects Iranian claims of control. The risk of broader regional conflict now hangs over several Gulf states that host American bases.
