The United States and Iran are engaged in a dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime corridor for global trade, following a series of attacks in the region. The US military’s Central Command stated that its forces hit dozens of sites in the strikes, including air defense systems, radar sites, missile and drone equipment, and small boats.

Strait of Hormuz Dispute

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, is a critical waterway for international trade, with a significant portion of the world’s oil passing through it. The US has maintained that the strait remains open, while Iran claims it has the right to control the waterway and potentially charge vessels for traveling through it.

The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, called for the strait to be open, stating that freedom of navigation must be respected. The US and Iran are currently in the midst of a 60-day interim deal, which was intended to set up talks for a permanent end to the war. However, the recent attacks have raised concerns that the conflict may escalate further.

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard rejected the US statement, asserting that the Strait of Hormuz is Iranian territory and that the US has no right to interfere. The US has provided support to vessels moving along a southern route hugging the coastline of Oman, which has angered Iran and led to repeated attacks on ships using this route.

The situation in the region remains tense, with missile alert sirens sounding in Bahrain and Kuwait, and Jordan reporting that it shot down four Iranian missiles. The US and Iran have been engaged in a series of attacks and counter-attacks, with the US targeting Iranian military sites and Iran retaliating by attacking nations hosting US military forces.

Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.