Former US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States holds "almost total control" over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. This declaration came in the wake of a series of US military strikes targeting Iranian bases, intensifying already high tensions across West Asia.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump dismissed reports suggesting he was attempting to force Iran back into negotiations, stating, "I couldn’t care less if they sign a worthless, to them, agreement. I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing." He further speculated about the Iranian populace rising up.
US Military Actions and Iranian Claims
The US military confirmed its "wave of strikes" on Iranian military targets, which followed what it described as recent "attempted attacks" by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) detailed that US forces struck various IRGC targets, including air defense sites, radar systems, maritime assets and facilities, mine-laying capabilities, and communications sites.
However, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaiel Baqaei, claimed that a wedding celebration in Sirik was among the sites hit. Baqaei stated that more than 50 innocent men, women, and children were killed or wounded in a residential home in Kuhestak, Sirik, during the strikes. He vowed a firm response to these "savage crimes."
Escalating Regional Tensions
Following the US strikes and Iran's allegations, the region saw a rapid escalation. Iran's IRNA news agency claimed that the IRGC Aerospace Force launched ballistic missile operations against the US Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan, reportedly targeting RQ-4 and MQ-9 UAV hangars and hitting several drones, pilots, and flight crew. Iranian forces also allegedly targeted radar installations at the Sheikh Isa base in Bahrain with drones, and ballistic missiles reportedly struck Camp Titin in Jordan, causing troop casualties.
These claims prompted immediate regional responses. Bahrain's Interior Ministry issued a threat alert, advising citizens to seek safe locations. Kuwait News Agency reported that the country's air defenses were responding to Iranian drone attacks, while Jordan's air defenses intercepted 13 Iranian ballistic missiles.
Trump's Warning of Further Action
President Trump had earlier announced fresh US strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, framing them as retaliation for Iran's alleged attempts to deploy sea mines in the waterway. He issued a stern warning that any retaliation against the "very justified attack" would be met with an even stronger response, hinting that a much larger attack on Tehran remained a possibility.