Fresh US military strikes near Iran’s strategic port city of Bandar Abbas and comments from President Donald Trump that he would not be rushed into a deal, added to tensions in the Gulf, while oil prices rebounded after sharp losses earlier in the week.
A US official said American forces carried out strikes targeting what was described as a threat to US military personnel and commercial shipping in the region.
The official also said US forces shot down four Iranian attack drones and later struck a ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was allegedly preparing to launch another drone.
The actions were described by the official as “measured” and “purely defensive.”
Blasts in Bandar Abbas
Iranian media reported explosions east of Bandar Abbas following the strikes. Iran’s Tasnim news agency, citing a military source, said the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy had fired toward a US oil tanker attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, forcing it to turn back. The report added that subsequent US strikes hit open ground around Bandar Abbas, with no casualties or damage reported.
The developments come amid continued uncertainty over negotiations between Washington and Tehran. President Donald Trump said he would not be pressured into reaching a deal with Iran, warning that Tehran’s strategy of trying to outlast his administration would fail because he did not “care about the midterms.”
Iranian state television reported that discussions between the two sides included a possible memorandum of understanding under which the United States would ease restrictions on Iranian ports in exchange for restoring traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-conflict levels. The White House denied the report, calling it untrue.
Strait of Hormuz should remain open
Trump also reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open to international shipping, describing it as international waters. He warned against any attempt to control the strategic waterway and said the United States would continue to monitor the area.
Warning to Oman
Trump also warned Oman not to interfere. “Oman will behave just like everybody else or we’ll have to blow ‘em up,” the president said.
Asked if he would accept a short-term deal that would allow Iran and Oman to control the critical waterway, Trump said, “No, the strait’s going to be open to everybody.”
Iranian state-linked media reported that 23 vessels, including oil tankers and container ships, had passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the previous 24 hours under what it described as IRGC naval security protection. At the same time, Tehran warned that ships belonging to “hostile countries” could face restrictions in the waterway.
Oil markets reacted sharply to the latest developments. After falling more than 5% on Wednesday, US crude futures rebounded nearly 2% in early Asian trading on Thursday following reports of the new US strikes, with prices rising to around $90 a barrel.
