The United States and Iran exchanged a fresh wave of military strikes for a sixth consecutive night, deepening fears of a wider regional conflict as Tehran prepared to expand its pressure on global energy supplies by threatening to shut another critical maritime chokepoint at the entrance to the Red Sea.
The latest escalation has already brought shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—the world's most important oil and gas transit route—to a near standstill for a second time in weeks, while Iran has signalled it is prepared to enlist Yemen's Houthi movement to close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait if Washington widens its attacks to target Iranian power infrastructure.
The US military said it carried out another round of strikes overnight against Iranian military facilities on Qeshm Island and around Bandar Abbas, home to Iran's largest port and key naval and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) installations.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said fighter aircraft, drones and warships launched precision strikes against dozens of military targets, including coastal surveillance systems, air defence sites, logistics infrastructure and maritime capabilities, in an effort to "further degrade Iranian military capabilities."
Iran responded with fresh missile and drone attacks targeting US military facilities across the Gulf.
Qatar's defence ministry said its armed forces successfully intercepted an Iranian missile attack, while the country's interior ministry said a child was injured by shrapnel from interception operations. Residents in Doha reported hearing multiple explosions as emergency alerts were issued across the capital.
Bahrain activated nationwide warning sirens in the early hours of Friday, urging citizens and residents to seek shelter and follow official instructions, while Kuwait's General Staff said its air defence systems intercepted incoming missiles and hostile drones, adding that explosions heard across the country were the result of interception operations.
The latest exchanges mark the sixth straight night of retaliatory attacks since last month's ceasefire effectively collapsed, raising concerns that the conflict could spread across the Gulf and threaten international shipping.
Iranian state media also accused the United States of expanding its campaign to include civilian infrastructure, reporting strikes on bridges, a railway station and an airport. Independent verification confirmed damage to at least one bridge west of Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan province.
Hormuz blockade disrupts oil flows
The renewed military confrontation has once again severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran reinstated its blockade of the waterway while Washington tightened restrictions on Iranian ports.
Oil prices extended this week's sharp gains on Friday as traders priced in growing supply risks. Brent crude futures rose 70 cents, or 0.83 per cent, to $84.93 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 81 cents, or 1.03 per cent, to $79.76 a barrel. Brent has risen nearly 12 per cent this week and is on course for a third consecutive weekly gain, while WTI is heading for its second straight weekly advance.
Iran eyes Red Sea pressure
In a potentially more dangerous escalation, Iran has asked Yemen's Houthi movement to be prepared to close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait—the southern gateway to the Red Sea—should the United States attack Iranian power infrastructure, according to three sources familiar with the discussions.
The move would open a second front against global shipping after months of disruption in the Red Sea caused by Houthi attacks on commercial vessels.
Two senior Iranian sources and a regional official familiar with the discussions said the proposal has been debated within Iran's leadership and communicated to the Houthis.
A source close to the Yemeni group said Houthi forces have already positioned missiles and drones overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb Strait from locations near Hodeidah and the Gulf of Aden and are awaiting orders to begin attacks on shipping.
The Bab al-Mandeb is one of the world's busiest maritime chokepoints, linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Any closure, combined with disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, would place unprecedented pressure on global energy supplies and international trade, forcing tankers to undertake lengthy diversions around Africa and further driving up freight costs and oil prices.
With both sides showing little sign of backing down, markets are increasingly concerned that the conflict could evolve into a prolonged regional confrontation involving multiple Gulf states and threatening two of the world's most strategically important maritime trade routes.
