On July 13, 2026, the United States announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, with President Donald Trump stating that a fee of 20% will be charged on all cargo passing through the waterway. The move comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, with military actions threatening a fragile ceasefire.
US Military Actions in Iran
President Trump formally notified Congress that hostilities against Iran resumed on July 7, 2026, indicating that his administration views this as a new 60-day period to engage military actions without congressional approval. In his letter, Trump emphasized, "I directed this military action consistent with my responsibility to protect Americans and United States' national security and foreign policy interests," outlining previous ceasefire efforts and diplomatic solutions attempted since April.
On the evening of July 13, Trump declared, "We're going to hit them very hard tonight, and we're going to hit them hard tomorrow," following a series of airstrikes that began earlier that week. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that these strikes aim to impose significant costs on Iranian military capabilities.
Attacks on Commercial Shipping
In a significant escalation, the UAE Ministry of Defence reported that two national tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in one casualty and several injuries among the crew. The UAE condemned the missile attacks as a serious violation of international law and asserted its right to respond to protect its sovereignty.
