The United States has opened a fresh offensive aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump asked Israel to stop repeating strikes on Iranian natural gas facilities. Washington moved low-flying jets and AH-64 Apache helicopters into the area to target Iranian vessels and drones operating close to the main shipping lane.

What US forces are doing

US forces say they are focusing on fast attack craft and aerial threats near the southern flank of the strait. A senior US general, Dan Caine, put it plainly:

"The A-10 Warthog is now in the fight across the southern flank and is hunting and killing fast attack watercraft in the Straits of Hormuz. In addition, AH-64 Apaches have joined the fight on the southern flank, and they continue to work on the southern side."

Israel and the South Pars strike

At the same time, Israel launched another set of strikes on Tehran after bombing Iran's South Pars gas field, an attack that marked a serious escalation in the conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel carried out the South Pars strike on its own and confirmed that President Trump had asked Israel to hold off on similar attacks.

Regional fallout

  • Iran reportedly responded by launching missiles at Qatar and Saudi Arabia and vowed further strikes on oil and gas targets across the Gulf.
  • Saudi Arabia warned it reserves the right to take military action against Iran, saying trust with Tehran has been broken.
  • The unrest has already disrupted global energy supplies and pushed oil prices higher.

Ships, fees and safe passages

Several tankers have been observed taking a northwest route around Larak Island to get through the narrow waterway. Analysts say this indicates those vessels arranged safe passage with Iranian authorities, who appeared to visually confirm some transits.

Maritime intelligence reporting also says a tanker company paid a roughly $2 million fee to Iran for safe passage through the strait. It is not clear which operator made the payment. At least nine ships are reported to have used the Larak corridor in recent days.

Legal and economic warnings

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that attacks on energy infrastructure or strikes on civilian targets could amount to war crimes. He said growing civilian casualties on both sides leave room for such legal concerns.

On the market side, Brent crude remains elevated, near $107 per barrel, after prices spiked following recent attacks on energy facilities.

Quick recap

  • The US and Israel began major strikes on Iran on 28 February, which expanded into a wider regional conflict.
  • The fighting has killed thousands, spread into neighbouring states, and caused major disruption to global energy supplies.
  • Despite President Trump's request that Israel avoid hitting gas infrastructure again, strikes and counterstrikes continue and commercial shipping remains at risk.

The situation remains fluid. Commercial vessels and energy networks are directly in the line of fire, and diplomatic pressure is intensifying even as military activity continues.