The US launched a new attack on Iran on Sunday evening, continuing days of strikes between the two countries. Iranian media reported that the strikes killed one person in southwestern Iran, and injured four others.
Just a few hours after the start of the new US strikes, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had hit US military bases in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain.
The escalating attacks, which cast doubt on the future of the US-Iran interim agreement signed in June, come amid conflicting claims over whether the Strait of Hormuz has been opened.
Iran says it has blocked the vital waterway until further inspection, while the US insists it is open.
On Sunday evening, Centcom announced another round of strikes against Iran, which it said would begin at 17:00 ET (22:00 BST).
A number of Iranian military targets, including air defense systems, coastal radar sites, and missile and drone capabilities, it later said.
The US military was “prepared to ensure that freedom of navigation is available to commercial vessels despite Iran’s unnecessary aggression, harassment, threats and unjustified declarations,” Centcom said.
Minutes before Centcom’s first announcement, Iranian state TV reported explosions in Sirik, Qeshm, Bandar Abbas and Jask.
“Following the attack by the American enemy on Monday morning… one person was martyred and four were injured,” IRNA reported, citing the deputy head of security and law enforcement in Khuzestan province, Valiollah Hayati.
Oil prices jumped on Monday morning in Asia. Brent crude was up 4% at $79.07 (£59.11) a barrel, while US crude oil gained 4.2% to $74.53.
Energy prices in wholesale markets around the world have fluctuated widely in recent months as traders react to the development of the conflict.
Shortly after the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, Tehran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) transit.
Despite recent gains, prices are well below the R120 barrel mark Brent reached at the end of April.
A new wave of US strikes on Sunday evening, took place after the US military attacked 140 locations targeted by Iranian forces, Centcom said on Saturday evening.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded to those strikes with widespread attacks on US and allied bases across the region, marking an escalation of hostilities.
Among those targeted by Iran were Qatar, a mediator in the ceasefire talks that has not been attacked since April, and the UAE, which has not been attacked since May. The BBC has contacted the US Central Command (Centcom) for comment on the attack in Jordan.
The renewed fire has jeopardized a temporary ceasefire agreement signed last month, which was intended to reopen the strait and eventually end the conflict once and for all.
Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump announced that the attack on Iran meant the ceasefire was over, and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US of violating the agreement.
However, Trump has said that negotiations will continue and negotiators are trying to revive the plan.
On Sunday, the US Central Command confirmed that the Strait was open, warning the US military to ensure that it remains free flowing.
Additional reporting by Goncheh Habibiazad.
