{"id":59257,"date":"2026-02-28T13:38:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T17:38:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-crisis-israel-and-u-s-launch-massive-strikes-on-iran-strait-of-hormuz-closed\/59257\/"},"modified":"2026-02-28T13:38:27","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T17:38:27","slug":"middle-east-crisis-israel-and-u-s-launch-massive-strikes-on-iran-strait-of-hormuz-closed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-crisis-israel-and-u-s-launch-massive-strikes-on-iran-strait-of-hormuz-closed\/59257\/","title":{"rendered":"Middle East Crisis: Israel and U.S. Launch Massive Strikes on Iran; Strait of Hormuz Closed"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-crisis-israel-and-u-s-launch-massive-strikes-on-iran-strait-of-hormuz-closed\/59257\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-crisis-israel-and-u-s-launch-massive-strikes-on-iran-strait-of-hormuz-closed\/59257\/#Massive_Air_Campaign_Targets_Iranian_Infrastructure\" >Massive Air Campaign Targets Iranian Infrastructure<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-crisis-israel-and-u-s-launch-massive-strikes-on-iran-strait-of-hormuz-closed\/59257\/#Iran_Shuts_Strait_of_Hormuz_Threatening_Global_Oil\" >Iran Shuts Strait of Hormuz, Threatening Global Oil<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-crisis-israel-and-u-s-launch-massive-strikes-on-iran-strait-of-hormuz-closed\/59257\/#Regional_Retaliation_Hits_Bahrain_and_Kuwait\" >Regional Retaliation Hits Bahrain and Kuwait<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-crisis-israel-and-u-s-launch-massive-strikes-on-iran-strait-of-hormuz-closed\/59257\/#Market_Turmoil_and_Insurance_Cancellations\" >Market Turmoil and Insurance Cancellations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-crisis-israel-and-u-s-launch-massive-strikes-on-iran-strait-of-hormuz-closed\/59257\/#Diplomatic_and_Domestic_Response\" >Diplomatic and Domestic Response<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Israel\u2019s IDF deployed over 200 fighter jets<\/strong> in a massive coordinated air campaign targeting Iranian missile launchers and air defense systems in central Iran.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Iran has officially moved to close the Strait of Hormuz<\/strong>, with the Revolutionary Guard issuing warnings that &quot;no ship is allowed to pass&quot; the strategic energy chokepoint.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Regional spillover has intensified<\/strong> as Iranian retaliatory strikes hit residential areas and U.S. military installations in <strong>Bahrain<\/strong> and <strong>Kuwait<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Global shipping markets are in turmoil<\/strong> as insurers begin canceling policies and hiking premiums for vessels operating in the Middle East.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Trump administration is set to brief Congressional staff<\/strong> on Sunday as the conflict escalates into a major regional war.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Massive_Air_Campaign_Targets_Iranian_Infrastructure\"><\/span>Massive Air Campaign Targets Iranian Infrastructure<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>Israel Defense Forces (IDF)<\/strong> launched a significant escalation on Saturday, completing an initial wave of attacks involving <strong>200 fighter jets<\/strong>. Military officials confirmed a second wave of strikes is currently underway, specifically targeting <strong>rocket launch sites and air defense batteries<\/strong> in central Iran, including the strategic city of <strong>Isfahan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The operation, described by some sources as a &quot;preemptive strike,&quot; aims to dismantle Iran&#39;s ability to launch long-range ballistic missiles. Reports from Iranian state media indicate heavy casualties, including <strong>15 killed in an attack on a sports hall<\/strong> in the southern town of Lamerd, while other reports suggest a school in southern Iran was also hit.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Iran_Shuts_Strait_of_Hormuz_Threatening_Global_Oil\"><\/span>Iran Shuts Strait of Hormuz, Threatening Global Oil<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In a move that sent shockwaves through energy markets, Iran has reportedly moved to <strong>close the Strait of Hormuz<\/strong>. According to <em>Reuters<\/em>, ships in the region received VHF transmissions from the <strong>Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)<\/strong> stating that no maritime traffic would be permitted through the waterway.<\/p>\n<p>The closure of the world\u2019s most important oil transit point is expected to have an immediate impact on global energy prices. Major oil producers like ExxonMobil (<a href=\"\/stock\/XOM\">XOM<\/a>), Chevron (<a href=\"\/stock\/CVX\">CVX<\/a>), and Shell (<a href=\"\/stock\/SHEL\">SHEL<\/a>) are monitoring the situation closely as <em>maritime insurance costs skyrocket<\/em>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Regional_Retaliation_Hits_Bahrain_and_Kuwait\"><\/span>Regional Retaliation Hits Bahrain and Kuwait<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Iran\u2019s &quot;devastating and painful response&quot; has already begun to impact neighboring Gulf states. In <strong>Bahrain<\/strong>, several residential buildings in the capital were hit by drone and missile strikes, and air raid sirens continue to blare across the country. U.S. bases in Bahrain, including the <strong>5th Fleet headquarters<\/strong>, have also come under fire.<\/p>\n<p>In <strong>Kuwait<\/strong>, the military reported that debris from intercepted missiles and drones fell on the <strong>Ali Al Salem Air Base<\/strong>, injuring three personnel and causing material damage. Local hospitals in Kuwait have reportedly received at least <strong>12 wounded individuals<\/strong> following the strikes.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Market_Turmoil_and_Insurance_Cancellations\"><\/span>Market Turmoil and Insurance Cancellations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The <em>Financial Times<\/em> reports that <strong>maritime insurers are moving to cancel existing policies<\/strong> and significantly raise prices for any ships remaining in the Middle East. This &quot;war risk&quot; premium is expected to paralyze commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf until the security situation stabilizes.<\/p>\n<p>Defense contractors are seeing increased attention as the conflict widens. Companies such as Lockheed Martin (<a href=\"\/stock\/LMT\">LMT<\/a>), Northrop Grumman (<a href=\"\/stock\/NOC\">NOC<\/a>), and Raytheon (<a href=\"\/stock\/RTX\">RTX<\/a>) are at the forefront of providing the hardware and interceptor systems currently being utilized by <strong>U.S. and coalition forces<\/strong> across the region.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Diplomatic_and_Domestic_Response\"><\/span>Diplomatic and Domestic Response<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>Trump administration<\/strong> has scheduled a briefing for Congressional staff on Sunday to discuss the rapidly evolving situation. Domestically, <strong>New York Governor Kathy Hochul<\/strong> announced that the state is taking &quot;precautionary steps&quot; to protect citizens, reflecting heightened security concerns across the United States.<\/p>\n<p>While <strong>Germany\u2019s Friedrich Merz<\/strong> clarified that German forces are not participating in the strikes, he reaffirmed the country\u2019s commitment to <strong>Israel\u2019s security<\/strong>. Meanwhile, the <strong>U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon<\/strong> has reportedly informed the Lebanese presidency that Israel does not intend to escalate against Lebanon, provided the country refrains from hostile actions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways Israel\u2019s IDF deployed over 200 fighter jets in a massive coordinated air campaign targeting Iranian missile launchers and 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