American forces restored a ban on maritime movements into and out of Iran's ports. U.S. officials linked the action to Iranian attacks involving merchant ships near the Strait of Hormuz and facilities elsewhere in the Gulf.
This was the blockade's second phase. Washington introduced it during April, then ended it in the middle of June. The suspension followed an interim American-Iranian agreement by one day. Negotiators were given 60 days to pursue a lasting settlement, including discussion of Tehran's nuclear activities. That process had stalled when the restrictions returned.
Fighting accompanied the policy change. U.S. Central Command reported new attacks within Iran against naval assets, coastal protection, drone and missile locations, and logistical systems. CENTCOM said its objective was to limit threats to civilian shipping. Tehran recognized that strikes occurred but offered no immediate assessment of people harmed or property lost.
Iranian action reached beyond the strait. The supplied reports identify Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait as targets. Three tankers were attacked after navigating the channel. According to the International Maritime Organization, incidents aboard Mombasa and Al Bahiyah caused two seafarer deaths and injuries to 14 others. Both vessels had links to the United Arab Emirates.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard said those two ships disregarded instructions. The UAE, meanwhile, signalled that it might retaliate. These were opposing parties' positions; the evidence does not independently resolve the circumstances of either tanker attack.
Energy trade gives the waterway global importance. In peacetime, about one out of every five traded units of crude oil and natural gas passed through it. Prices for petroleum, fertilizer and other products rose after traffic was disrupted. Iran had effectively closed the route following the U.S.-Israeli opening attacks of February 28, the reports said.
President Donald Trump originally announced another element: a levy equal to 20% of cargo value for vessels using the channel. Before renewed enforcement began, he cancelled that proposal. He said Gulf monarchs preferred to channel billions into U.S. investments. No documentation in the packet clarifies the amount or whether the commitments were new.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi framed Washington's conduct as interference with Iranian sovereignty. Tehran asserts authority to direct passage and possibly collect charges. The United States rejects that position and has supported toll-free transit.
The blockade's restoration showed that the June pause had not produced durable de-escalation. Instead, commercial crews were casualties, neighbouring countries faced attacks and military operations resumed while the negotiating clock continued. The evidence did not specify how enforcement would work for individual ships or how long Washington planned to maintain the restrictions.
