The U.S. military confirmed Wednesday it completed its twelfth consecutive night of strikes on Iran, a continuation of the war initiated by a joint U.S. and Israeli attack on February 28. These latest American attacks lasted five hours. U.S. Central Command detailed strikes on Iranian military targets, including maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense assets.
Since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, the conflict has escalated dramatically. U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions. The U.S. has also resumed a naval blockade against Iran at sea in July, targeting dozens of Iranian military sites on land. U.S. troop deaths have risen to 18 in recent days.
Escalating Economic Warfare
This intensified military pressure has directly impacted global energy markets. Oil prices rose for a fifth day on Thursday as attacks on tankers in the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthis and strikes between the U.S. and Iran nearly shut the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures rose $2.42, or 2.6%, to $96.49 by 0640 GMT, reaching its highest point since June 8. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed $1.59, or 1.8%, after Wednesday's rise of 3%.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards reported an oil tanker caught fire after an explosion while attempting to follow a route they described as mined in the southern area of the Strait of Hormuz near the coast of Oman. In a statement, the Guards declared the strait under their control and "completely closed" while U.S. actions continued in the region. They warned that no tanker would be allowed to enter or leave without coordination with Iran.
The Iran-aligned Houthis have opened a new front, targeting vessels carrying Saudi oil in the Bab el-Mandeb strait. They are trying to impose a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia. The Houthis claimed a military operation targeting two Saudi oil tankers, and maritime security reports indicated the Saudi-flagged tanker Encelia was hit in the Red Sea. They also stated they forced about 10 ships to retreat and return after warning vessels against sailing to Saudi ports. Priyanka Sachdeva, a senior market analyst at Phillip Nova, noted that "geopolitical premiums have returned." Saul Kavonic, head of energy research at MST Marquee, said the new threat to Red Sea passage could interrupt up to 5 million barrels per day of oil supply.
Threats of War Crimes
U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated rhetorical threats against Iran. He vowed on Wednesday to destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant every time Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has previously threatened to target energy plants and bridges. In April, his threat to destroy Iran's "entire civilization" also drew wide condemnation.
Iran's joint military command warned that if Trump's threat was carried out, its forces would target regional oil, gas, electricity, and economic facilities, state media said. Such threats directly contradict international law. The 1949 Geneva Conventions on humanitarian conduct in war prohibit attacks on sites considered essential for civilians. International law experts in the United States stated in April, after Trump's threats, that such attacks may amount to war crimes.