Iran war escalates as US, IRGC exchange fire over Strait of Hormuz

Key Points:

• The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and under international control, refuting Iranian claims that it has closed the vital waterway, emphasizing U.S. readiness to maintain freedom of navigation despite Iranian threats and aggression.
• Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has escalated retaliatory strikes targeting military sites in Gulf states including Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and attacks on commercial vessels, while CENTCOM has conducted three waves of U.S. strikes hitting over 300 Iranian military targets to degrade Iran’s capacity for further attacks.
• U.S. officials, including Ambassador to the U.N. Michael Waltz and NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker, stressed that the U.S. is committed to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, enforcing consequences for Iranian violations, and continuing diplomatic nuclear talks despite ongoing military exchanges.
• Israel expressed readiness to support the U.S. militarily against Iran and is actively working with Lebanon to eliminate Hezbollah’s influence, underscoring regional efforts to counter Iranian proxies and reduce Tehran’s control in the Middle East.
• The death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, a key advocate for strong U.S. foreign policy on Iran and global security, has left a significant void in Senate leadership, with colleagues urging transparency on his cause of death and emphasizing the need to uphold his foreign policy legacy amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions.