The U.S. military continued its operations against Iran on Sunday, targeting the country's capabilities to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command reported that strikes began at 7 p.m. ET, marking the ninth consecutive night of military action aimed at degrading Iranian military capabilities.
Tensions have escalated in the region, with both Washington and Tehran accusing each other of violating a memorandum of understanding established in June. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil transport, has seen increased military activity since the conflict began on February 28, when the U.S. and Israel initiated strikes against Iran. As a result, oil prices have risen, with Brent crude futures increasing nearly 3% to approximately $90.70 per barrel, and U.S. WTI futures rising 2.5% to $84.60.
The human cost of the conflict has also increased, with U.S. forces reporting a third American service member killed in recent fighting, bringing the total U.S. casualties to 17. Iranian authorities reported at least 50 fatalities and over 500 injuries due to the recent U.S. strikes.
Michael Feller, chief strategist at Geopolitical Strategy, noted that the memorandum lacked clarity on how disputes would be managed, leading to questions about its validity. U.S. strikes have also targeted civilian infrastructure, including a desalination plant that disrupted water supplies for about 10,000 people.
In retaliation, Iran has conducted attacks on neighboring countries, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. The U.S. embassy in Bahrain issued a warning to American citizens about potential threats in the region.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported that two oil tankers exploded while navigating the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic in the waterway has decreased significantly, with only eight vessels passing through on Thursday, down from 15 the previous day. However, U.S. officials, including Energy Secretary Chris Wright, stated that about two-thirds of pre-conflict shipping traffic, approximately 14 million barrels per day, is still transiting the strait.