U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran and Reinstates Full Naval Blockade

The U.S. military has intensified its campaign against Iran, launching a fourth consecutive night of airstrikes and officially reinstating a total naval blockade of all Iranian ports along the southern coastline. The blockade, which took effect early Wednesday, follows an Iranian declaration that the Strait of Hormuz was closed. In direct retaliation for American strikes on targets such as Qeshm Island, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had launched attacks on U.S. bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, marking a significant expansion of the conflict's geographic scope. In a major diplomatic shift, President Trump reversed his previous proposal to levy a 20% 'Reimbursement Fee' on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Following reports of zero support for the tolls from regional partners, the administration is now demanding 'massive' trade and investment commitments from Gulf states. President Trump described the U.S. as the 'Guardian' of the strait, signaling that while the financial burden will shift to direct capital inflows from allies, military pressure on Tehran will continue until a new deal is reached. The economic impacts of the renewed hostilities are becoming evident, with maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz reportedly falling by 52% over the last week. President Trump has notified Congress that hostilities officially resumed on July 7, granting him 60 days of combat authority. Despite the escalation, the President maintained that a deal remains possible, even as he warned that future targets could include Iran's critical infrastructure and the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site.