New Delhi: The United States has carried out missile strikes on Iranian military locations near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for global oil trade, according to an Aaj Tak report. Washington has described the strikes as defensive action, while Iran has called them an act of aggression.
The report said the attacks targeted areas around Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island in southern Iran, from where Tehran exercises strong control over the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea and is used by major oil exporting countries including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Any disruption in this route can directly affect global oil supply and prices.
According to the report, US forces said the action was taken after Iranian units allegedly attacked American naval ships with missiles, drones and small boats. In response, the US reportedly destroyed Iranian missile sites, boats and mine laying vessels. Loud explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas after the strikes.
The latest escalation comes despite a ceasefire that followed a larger conflict in February 2026. Earlier this year, the US and Israel had launched major attacks on Iranian nuclear centres, military bases and command systems. Iran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting shipping and pushing up oil prices. The ceasefire was reportedly reached through Pakistan’s mediation, but tensions over control of the waterway have continued.
The report also said the US is running Operation Epic Fury to ensure that oil and gas trade through the Gulf remains open. American destroyers have been deployed to escort commercial vessels. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that Iran cannot use the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of blackmail.
For Iran, the Strait remains a major strategic asset. Tehran says the waterway is linked to its sovereignty and has warned of further retaliation if attacks continue. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps still has speed boats, anti ship missiles and naval mines, even though the latest strikes are believed to have weakened some of its operational capacity.
The situation has raised concerns for oil importing countries, including India, as shipping companies are considering alternate routes and insurance costs are rising. Experts cited in the report believe both sides may not want a full scale war, but smaller clashes could continue if diplomacy fails.