US military strikes Iran's Qeshm port and Bandar Abbas
Updated
Updated · Reuters · May 7
US military strikes Iran's Qeshm port and Bandar Abbas
10 articles · Updated · Reuters · May 7
A senior US official said the Thursday attacks do not signal a resumption of war or the end of the ceasefire announced on 7 April.
The strikes came as Washington awaited Tehran's response to a US proposal to halt fighting while leaving disputed issues, including Iran's nuclear programme, unresolved for now.
Earlier Iranian media had blamed the UAE for attacks on Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas, while later reports said explosions hit Bahman Pier and blasts were heard in Bandar Abbas.
Is Iran's 'unsinkable fortress' at Qeshm Island making a military solution to reopen the Strait impossible for the U.S.?
As Iran seizes the world's oil chokepoint, what permanent changes to global energy security will emerge from this crisis?
Can diplomacy succeed with Iran's new wartime leader, or is a wider regional conflict now inevitable?
Iran-UAE Conflict and the Strait of Hormuz Blockade: Impact on 20% of Global Oil Supply in 2026
Overview
In early 2026, tensions in the Persian Gulf escalated after US-Israel strikes killed Iran's Supreme Leader and damaged its infrastructure, causing over 2,000 Iranian deaths and disrupting 20% of global oil supplies. In response, Iran blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, sharply reducing ship traffic and triggering a 50% surge in oil prices. Iran also launched missile and drone attacks on UAE ports, severely damaging its economy and reputation. The US countered with a naval blockade and a major naval mobilization. Following these events, Pakistan brokered a fragile ceasefire, but disputes over its terms, especially involving Lebanon, threatened renewed conflict. Regional powers condemned Iran and began strengthening their own military deterrence amid ongoing instability.