Iran War Live Updates: U.S. Begins New Strikes on Iran as Trump Orders Resumption of Shipping Blockade

Key Points:

• U.S. forces, under President Trump’s orders, resumed strikes against Iran and reinstated a naval blockade of Iranian ports, including plans to charge a 20% fee on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz for security services, contradicting previous U.S. government statements opposing fees on international waterways.
• Iran rejected U.S. claims to control and charge tolls for the strait, with Iranian officials asserting their own right to manage safe passage and promising a “fair” fee, escalating tensions amid ongoing military exchanges including U.S. drone attacks and Iranian missile strikes on U.S. assets and allied countries.
• The conflict has disrupted global oil markets, pushing Brent crude prices from $76 to $83 per barrel, and increasing shipping costs substantially, with experts warning of significant economic impacts on tanker operators and global energy supplies due to heightened risks and potential fees.
• The U.S. military employed sea drones in attacks on Iranian naval installations for the first time, signaling a shift in warfare tactics, while Iran’s hardliners have called for revenge following the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, further complicating diplomatic efforts for peace.
• Parallel regional tensions include renewed hostilities in Yemen between the Saudi-led coalition and Houthi forces, triggered by attacks on airports and missile exchanges, raising concerns from the U.N. about a broader escalation in the Middle East amid the U.S.-Iran conflict.