The United States and Israel carried out coordinated airstrikes on Iranian targets early Saturday in a major escalation of Middle East tensions. The strikes, referred to by U.S. officials as “Operation Epic Fury,” targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command centers, missile facilities, air defense systems, nuclear-related infrastructure, and key regime sites in areas including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Kermanshah, and Karaj. President Donald Trump said the attacks were necessary to eliminate imminent threats tied to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional proxy networks, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described them as a preemptive move against what he called an existential threat posed by Iran. Reports from Israeli sources suggested the strikes may have killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, though Iranian state media insisted he remained safe.

Iran responded within hours by launching ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel and several U.S. military bases across the region, including installations in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Explosions were reported in multiple Gulf locations, raising fears that the conflict could expand into a wider regional war. The retaliation marked one of the most direct confrontations between Iran, Israel, and U.S. forces in decades.

Tensions escalated further when Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy began issuing warnings to commercial ships in the Persian Gulf, stating that vessels were not allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Several ships reported radio messages declaring the route unsafe or banned, effectively suggesting the strategic waterway was closed. European and British maritime monitoring missions confirmed the broadcasts, while Iranian media claimed the strait had become “practically closed” due to the security situation following the attacks and Iran’s response.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil supply each day along with large volumes of liquefied natural gas from Qatar. Even partial disruption has already caused ships to slow, reroute, or halt operations, while energy companies and shipping firms reconsider routes through the region. Analysts warn that prolonged instability could trigger major spikes in global oil prices and ripple through international markets, increasing fuel costs and raising fears of a broader economic shock if the crisis continues to escalate.READ MORE BELOW