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Politics
Politics Saudi Arabia
Sunday, July 12, 2026
U.S. Forces Strike Over 300 Targets in Iran as Hormuz Closure Triggers Escalating Military Confrontation

Lead:

The United States military has carried out multiple rounds of airstrikes against Iran, targeting more than 300 sites including missile installations and drone facilities, following an Iranian attack on a container vessel in the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran's subsequent closure of the waterway to all navigation. President Donald Trump confirmed the strikes, describing them as a direct response to Iranian aggression, while simultaneously warning of total destruction if Iran attempts to escalate further. The crisis marks one of the most acute U.S.-Iran military confrontations in decades.

Details:

According to Alyaum, the U.S. military announced the completion of a third round of strikes against Iran on Sunday, with more than 140 military targets hit in that round alone, bringing the cumulative total of targeted sites to over 300. President Trump stated that Iran had been "on the verge of conceding everything" before the latest escalation, framing the military action as both punitive and a means of returning to the negotiating table.

Alyaum further reports that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth declared on Saturday that Iran had made a "bad choice" by firing on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz and then closing the waterway, adding that Tehran is now paying the price for that decision. Separately, Al-Jazirah reported that Trump threatened Iran with complete destruction should it attempt to target him personally, stating via Truth Social that 1,000 missiles are aimed at Iran and ready to launch.

On the Iranian side, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it had targeted two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and declared an indefinite closure of the waterway to all shipping. Iranian officials, as reported by Alyaum, warned that Tehran would no longer honor its memorandum of understanding with Washington if the United States continued what Iran described as violations of the agreement. Al-Jazirah noted that a senior U.S. official stated no deal would be reached without the transfer of Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium from facilities that have been struck.

Amid the military exchanges, Alyaum reported that U.S. Central Command confirmed on Sunday that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz was proceeding normally, a direct contradiction of Iran's closure declaration. Alwatan reported that Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a call from Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, during which both sides expressed support for renewed U.S.-Iran diplomatic talks.

Watch For:

Whether Iran formally reopens the Strait of Hormuz or sustains its closure, which would trigger broader global energy market disruption.

The condition set by Washington regarding transfer of enriched uranium stockpiles, which may define the parameters of any ceasefire or diplomatic framework.

The role of regional mediators, including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, in facilitating a de-escalation channel between Washington and Tehran in the coming days.

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