Regional tensions surged sharply after Iran reported that 10 to 11 “enemy projectiles” targeted Qeshm Island in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, while explosions were also reported in the nearby port city of Bandar Abbas, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.

The developments came as the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces remain “positioned and prepared” to safeguard freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in response to what it described as Iranian aggression.

Iranian authorities claimed that missile and suicide drone attacks had targeted Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, further fueling concerns that the Middle East could be sliding back into full-scale conflict.

The claims have not been independently verified, and there has been no immediate confirmation from the governments of the countries mentioned.

In a further escalation, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared that the Strait of Hormuz was “closed until further notice,” alleging that it had opened fire on a vessel attempting to transit the waterway through what it described as an unauthorized route.