WASHINGTON/DUBAI, July 24, 2026 — The United States has completed a twelfth consecutive night of strikes against Iran as the conflict spreads across two important international shipping corridors.
U.S. Central Command said the latest five-hour operation targeted Iranian missile and drone storage facilities, maritime capabilities, coastal-surveillance installations and air-defence assets.
The situation escalated further after Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. President Donald Trump threatened additional military action against Iran and the Houthis in response.
The attacks have increased concerns about shipping through both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Brent crude moved above $100 per barrel for the first time since May as markets assessed the risk of prolonged disruption to Middle Eastern energy exports.
Some battlefield and casualty claims from the countries involved have not been independently verified.
Why it matters: Disruption at both waterways could affect oil supplies, transportation costs, inflation and consumer prices worldwide.
