Israel Launches New Strikes as Iran Seals Strait of Hormuz, Disrupting Key Oil Shipping Route

Israel launched fresh strikes on Iran and Lebanon on the fifth day of escalating conflict, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced they have sealed off the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most vital oil shipping chokethrough which one-fifth of global seaborne oil passes. The US military reported hitting nearly 2,000 targets since Saturday’s opening strikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. President Trump claimed US forces have “knocked out” Iran’s navy, air force, and radar systems, and that the Navy is ready to escort tankers through the strait.

The conflict has spread to Lebanon, where Israeli strikes killed at least 52 people, and the Gulf, with drones striking near the US consulate in Dubai and the Al-Udeid base in Qatar. Governments are scrambling to evacuate citizens as air travel remains severely disrupted. The Iranian Red Crescent reports 787 deaths in Iran, though the toll cannot be independently verified. Tehran residents describe the capital as a “ghost town” with most having fled or remain confined indoors.

Key Points

Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz threatens global energy supplies, with immediate implications for oil prices.
The death toll has climbed to nearly 800 in Iran, with hundreds more across Israel, Lebanon, and the Gulf.
The conflict has expanded geographically, now directly involving Lebanon and multiple Gulf states.
Mass evacuations by Western governments underscore the severity of the crisis.
Tehran’s transformation into a ghost town reflects the civilian toll beyond the casualty figures.

The Iran-Israel-US conflict has entered a dangerous new phase with the sealing of the Strait of Hormuz, threatening global energy security and expanding across the Middle East as civilian populations flee or cower in anticipation of further strikes.

Sources: AFP, Official Statements