Iran has intensified its military operations in the Gulf, launching missile strikes against U.S.facilities in multiple countries including Qatar and the UAE, while declaring it has closed the vital Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic.This escalation marks a significant shift in the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, which began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February 2026.

The Iranian government claims its actions are aimed at asserting dominance over shipping through the strait, a critical route for global oil and liquefied natural gas exports.The attacks have disrupted energy flows, driving up prices and exacerbating inflation worldwide.U.S.forces have responded with strikes on Iranian military targets, aiming to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial vessels.Meanwhile, regional states like Qatar and Oman have called for calm, while the UAE and Bahrain report intercepting Iranian aerial threats.The situation has cast doubt on an interim agreement between the U.S.and Iran to reopen the strait, with tensions rising ahead of key political events in the U.S.The conflict underscores the geopolitical stakes of controlling energy routes and the potential economic fallout from prolonged instability.