Iran hits out at Gulf neighbours as U.S. presses on with strikes
Washington and Tehran traded strikes on Monday (July 20, 2026) as U.S. deaths in the renewed fighting climbed to three and more ships came under
Washington and Tehran traded strikes on Monday (July 20, 2026) as U.S. deaths in the renewed fighting climbed to three and more ships came under attack in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices surged to a one-month high as the United States and Iran tussled for control of the vital strait, with Brent crude rising above $91 a barrel — the highest price since June 11. Since the start of the war on February 28, Iran has struck back by targeting U.S. allies and military assets in its own neighbourhood, and by virtually blocking the waterway through which a fifth of world oil supplies transited prior to the war. A preliminary deal aimed at ending the war has collapsed as the foes fight to break a deadlock over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Monday (July 20, 2026) that two oil tankers trying to transit the strait "exploded and were brought to a halt", according to a statement reported by the Tasnim news agency. The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Monday (July 20, 2026) that a vessel was on fire in the strait, citing information from military authorities. The fire's cause has not been verified. On Sunday (July 19, 2026), U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on countries around the world to share the burden of protecting global shipping.
"It's clear that Iran, at least some people in Iran, want to control the straits and hold that as leverage against the world," Mr. Rubio told reporters. "The United States will do and continue to do what it needs to, to protect global shipping, but other countries need to begin to step up and provide, whether it's hardware or finances, to help carry that burden," he said. A fragile truce between Iran and the United States was shattered following reports of Iranian attacks on ships in the strait, though Mr. Rubio said he will "continue to try" to reach a diplomatic solution. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday (July 20, 2026) that it successfully completed the ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iran. The attacks were meant to "further diminish Iran's ability to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz", CENTCOM wrote on X. The fresh fighting came after a weekend in which the U.S. announced three new U.S. military fatalities and one service member missing in action. Two were killed during Iranian missile and drone attacks on Jordan on Friday (July 17, 2026), while another service member died in northern Iraq during the controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone, CENTCOM said.
The BriefWire