US resumes Iran ports blockade as Gulf attacks continue: What’s the latest?

EXPLAINERLess than a month after signing an MoU as a step towards peace, the US reinstates a naval blockade on Iranian ports.The United States has reimposed its naval blockade on Iranian ports, less than a month after signing what was supposed to be a step towards peace.The US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday said it concluded its latest wave of attacks on Iran in response to the Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4US reimposes blockade on Iranian ports, launches more strikeslist 2 of 4Trump pivots from 20 percent Strait of Hormuz fee amid Iran war escalationlist 3 of 4Can Gulf countries defend themselves against renewed Iranian attacks?list 4 of 4What is Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain, the mystery site Trump warns he’ll attack?end of listUS forces are now blocking traffic coming to and from Iranian ports, and the country’s coastal areas. But Iran says its control over the Strait of Hormuz will not be compromised.Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) meanwhile said it launched retaliatory drone and missile attacks on US military assets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan overnight.Here is a recap of what happened in Iran and the US on Tuesday night and Wednesday, and what each side has said.Where did the US attack Iran?CENTCOM said that at about 02:00 GMT on Wednesday, it launched an additional round of attacks against Iran, hitting “dozens of military targets” near the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian coastal areas.CENTCOM added that the wave of strikes lasted seven hours, during which US fighter aircraft, drones and naval vessels launched precision munitions against Iranian missile and drone sites, naval capabilities and coastal defence systems.Iranian media reported on Wednesday that US missiles hit a naval watchtower in the Iranian city of Chabahar. The watchtower is a civilian facility used for maritime security and fishermen search-and-rescue operations.Iran’s Student News Network (SNN) on Wednesday said the US struck a military base in Bampur in Iran’s southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan province.