U.S. and Iran Trade Strikes as Tensions Mount Over Strait of Hormuz Blockade Claims

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated sharply between July 12 and 13, 2026, as both nations engaged in significant military exchanges. The U.S. launched a second consecutive night of precision airstrikes targeting Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) small boats, missile systems, and air defenses near the Strait of Hormuz. These actions were intended to degrade Tehran's ability to harass commercial shipping and cut off oil revenue used to fund regional proxies. However, one strike hit a water pumping station in Mahshahr, resulting in one civilian death and four injuries. In retaliation, the IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz closed "until further notice" and launched coordinated missile attacks against dozens of U.S. military sites across the region, including installations in Jordan, Qatar, and the UAE. While Iran claimed hits on 85 sites, U.S. officials reported no American casualties. The inclusion of Qatar, a frequent mediator, and the UAE marks a geographic expansion of the conflict. Despite the military activity, delicate back-channel peace talks based on last month's memorandum of understanding are reportedly fragile but ongoing. A significant diplomatic contradiction persists regarding the status of the Strait of Hormuz. While the IRGC claims a total blockade, President Trump and U.S. Central Command have publicly countered those assertions, stating that the strait remains an international waterway with traffic still flowing. The Joint Maritime Information Center has maintained a "severe" threat level for regional shipping as commercial traffic has slowed to a trickle amid the ongoing hostilities.