International Desk (EFE).- The war between the United States and Iran has intensified and spread across several Middle Eastern countries, escalating from clashes in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in three consecutive nights of bombardment on the Islamic Republic, met by Iranian retaliatory attacks throughout the region.
The latest clashes follow the US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a reinstated naval blockade against Iran.
Trump had also stated on Monday that he would impose a tax on vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz, but reversed this decision on Tuesday.
Amid his threats to Iran, Trump lavished praise upon Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, whom he met at the White House amid the escalating war with Iran.
Speaking to the press in the Oval Office, Trump hailed Al-Zaidi as «a great leader» and highlighted the «tremendous chemistry» between them.
Washington is pressuring Baghdad to disarm a network of Iranian-backed militias operating within the country, which launched attacks against US interests in the region following the start of the US and Israeli offensive against the Islamic Republic on February 28.
Israel threatens «significantly stronger» response
For the moment, Israel has not participated in the latest attacks, nor has Iran bombed Israeli territory, unlike the events preceding the ceasefire signed on June 7 and subsequently broken on July 7.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran’s leaders on Tuesday that any attack on Israel would be met with a response «significantly stronger» than that of the conflict when it first started.
Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and the Emirates face Iranian attacks
Recent Iranian attacks have struck two Emirati vessels navigating the strait, resulting in one death and eight injuries. Three individuals remain missing.
Meanwhile, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan have been targeted by missile and drone strikes over the last 24 hours, aimed at US interests.
These attacks on Middle Eastern nations housing US military bases serve as the Islamic Republic’s response to three consecutive nights of what Trump described as «very hard» bombardments against several Iranian cities, which continued throughout the day.
Reversal on Hormuz tax collection
Trump, who had announced on Monday his intention to levy a 20% tax to facilitate vessel transit, walked back the policy on Tuesday.
«Based on highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership, I have decided to replace the 20% United States Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making into the United States,» the President detailed on the Truth Social platform.
UN alarmed by new Hormuz blockade
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a transit point for 20% of the world’s crude oil prior to the war, has once again been disrupted by hostilities.
«Reported attacks by Iran on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, reported attacks by the US against civilian infrastructure in Iran, and by Iran against such objects in other countries in the region, must stop immediately,» urged UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday.
The UN representative noted that essential goods for civilian populations, including food and medicine, transit through the Strait, and expressed his alarm at reports regarding its renewed blockade.
Oil prices rise
West Texas Intermediate crude rose 3.24% on Tuesday to 80.67 dollars following the latest US attacks on Iran and the restarting of the naval blockade.
Similarly, Brent crude for September delivery is up 2%, nearing 85 dollars. Both had surged more than 9% during Monday’s session.
Bellicose climate in Yemen
Recent attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen against Saudi Arabia on Monday night threaten to open another front in the Middle East.
The Houthis, allies of Iran, attacked the Saudi airport of Abha with drones and ballistic missiles in response to a previous attack against the airport of Sanaa, the Yemeni capital controlled by the insurgents. EFE
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