By Desmond Nleya
DUBAI: The United States launched a new wave of attacks on Iran on Tuesday, while the United Arab Emirates said one crew member was killed after Iranian missiles struck one of its national oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian state-linked media reported explosions on Kish Island, Qeshm Island, Bushehr and Bandar Abbas, indicating a broad expansion of US military operations against Iranian targets along the Gulf coast.
The strikes came hours after Tehran announced it had targeted US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as what it described as a “hostile vessel of the American enemy” in regional waters.
In a statement, the UAE government said two Emirati national tankers were hit by Iranian cruise missiles. One crew member was killed and several others were wounded. The condition of the injured was not immediately disclosed.
US President Donald Trump said Washington would reinstate a blockade on Iranian ports within hours and that the United States would “become the guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a 20 percent transit fee.
Escalation in Gulf waters
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, has become the center of a rapidly escalating confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Shipping companies and energy traders were closely monitoring developments after the reported attacks on the Emirati tankers. Insurance rates for vessels operating in the Gulf have risen sharply since the latest round of hostilities began.
US officials have not yet provided details on the targets struck in Iran, but military analysts say the reported locations suggest operations aimed at coastal infrastructure and maritime assets linked to Iran’s naval capabilities.
Regional tensions deepen
The reported Iranian strikes on US facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, if confirmed, would mark a significant widening of the conflict beyond direct US-Iran engagements.
Authorities in Kuwait and Bahrain had not immediately issued detailed assessments of damage or casualties.
Diplomatic efforts by Gulf states to contain the crisis have so far failed to produce a breakthrough, as both Washington and Tehran continue to exchange military blows.
Oil prices climbed in early trading following the reports of fresh attacks, reflecting growing fears that prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could affect global energy supplies.
International calls for restraint intensified on Tuesday as governments warned that further escalation could threaten maritime security across the Gulf and destabilize regional trade routes.
