Key Takeaways
- U.S. forces launched a third round of military strikes against Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz area following an IRGC attack on a commercial vessel.
- Iran’s IRGC Navy officially declared the Strait of Hormuz closed "until further notice," threatening a "severe response" to any foreign military intervention.
- Multiple explosions were reported across southern Iran, specifically in Jask, Bushehr, and Asaluyeh, as air defense systems were activated over the capital, Tehran.
- Venezuela's earthquake death toll has risen to 4,333, with over 16,740 injured, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez.
- Two children died in Syria after a ferry carrying 35 passengers collided with a bridge in Deir al-Zor, sparking an ongoing search for the missing.
The United States military has intensified its campaign against Iranian infrastructure, conducting a third wave of airstrikes this week. According to Axios, the strikes targeted Bandar-e-Jask and other coastal positions in response to an alleged Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attack on a cargo ship. U.S. Secretary of War stated that Iran is now "bearing the cost of its actions" as the conflict threatens to disrupt global energy markets.
In a dramatic escalation, the IRGC Navy announced it has closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime choke point for global oil trade. The Iranian military claimed it fired a warning shot at a vessel on an "unapproved route" before halting it. The IRGC warned that the waterway will remain closed until "U.S. interference in the region ceases," and that any further "enemy action" would face a devastating retaliation.
Reports from Iranian state media indicate that over 22 explosions occurred within the past hour across Bushehr province and the city of Jask. Air defense systems were reportedly activated in Tehran and Mahshahr as fighter jets were spotted over the capital. The strikes in Asaluyeh are particularly significant given the city's role as a major hub for Iran's petrochemical and natural gas industries.
Beyond the Middle East, Venezuela continues to reel from the aftermath of devastating earthquakes. National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez confirmed that the death toll has reached 4,333, with nearly 18,000 people left homeless. The government is currently coordinating with the United Nations for an emergency relief appeal totaling nearly $300 million to assist over a million affected citizens.
In eastern Syria, a tragic maritime accident has left at least two children dead and several others missing. A ferry carrying more than 35 passengers struck a bridge in Deir al-Zor, causing the vessel to capsize in the Euphrates River. While Syria’s Civil Defence has rescued 15 survivors, the search continues for those still unaccounted for in the fast-moving waters.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.