US and Iran exchange missile strikes as tensions flare in the Gulf
Washington and Tehran have exchanged missile fire for the first time in a month, a development that could jeopardise global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
United States forces launched a limited strike on Iranian rocket launchers on Larak island on Sunday, saying the action was meant to stop Tehran from laying additional sea mines in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Within hours, the Revolutionary Guards announced they had fired ballistic missiles at two US‑linked air bases in Jordan, claiming heavy damage.
Jordan’s army reported intercepting eight missiles, though it did not identify their origin. Tehran also said it targeted a US installation in the United Arab Emirates and shot down an American drone over the waterway.
Why the exchange matters
The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil. Any disruption can ripple through global markets, already feeling pressure from higher crude prices. US officials stressed the need to keep the passage open, with Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for US Central Command, saying the navy had finished clearing mines and would continue monitoring the area.
Iran’s missile response was framed as “legitimate defence” by its foreign ministry, linking the attacks to what it called US‑Zionist aerial aggression. The rhetoric underscores Tehran’s willingness to project power beyond its own borders, a pattern seen in previous strikes on facilities in Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
What comes next
Both sides have signalled they do not seek a full‑scale war, but the risk of escalation remains. Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s president, warned of a “decisive response” before travelling to a summit in Kyrgyzstan with leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. In Washington, criticism is mounting; Jack Reed, top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the six‑month conflict “a failure to achieve any objective”.
Analysts expect US commanders to maintain a heightened posture around the Gulf while diplomatic channels, led by Qatar and Pakistan, continue to push for a lasting cease‑fire. The next few weeks will likely determine whether the recent missile exchange remains an isolated incident or becomes a stepping stone to broader hostilities.
For now, oil markets are watching closely, and any further disruption to the Strait of Hormuz could push prices higher and strain global supply chains.
