US Launches Ninth Night of Iran Strikes as American Death Toll Reaches 17
The United States launched a ninth consecutive night of Iran strikes on Iranian military sites early Monday, as Iran responded with attacks on U.S. allies and another American service member was confirmed killed, bringing the U.S. death toll to 17 since the conflict began on February 28.
Latest U.S. Strikes on Iran
U.S. Central Command announced a new wave of strikes targeting Iranian military command centers, air defense and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and communications networks to degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. [1] The announcement came as part of the ninth straight night of operations, with Central Command stating the strikes began at 19:00 ET on Sunday. [2] Central Command said the operations would continue to reduce Iran’s military capacity used against ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. [2] The U.S. military’s Central Command announced a new round of strikes early Monday targeting Iranian military command centers, air defense and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and communications networks. [4] Monday’s attacks followed Central Command’s statement that its eighth consecutive wave hit Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defense facilities. [1]
Iranian Retaliatory Attacks
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a surprise strike against the enemy’s special operations headquarters in Syria’s Al-Tanf area. [1] Iran conducted drone attacks on U.S. military assets and equipment at Kuwait’s Al-Adiri camp and Ali Al Salem Air Base, according to Iranian state TV. [1] Iranian state media reported explosions in Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini. [1] Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard later claimed it was targeting tankers in the strait. [4] A vessel caught fire early Monday in the Strait of Hormuz near the coastline of Oman, the British military said. [4] Kuwait’s government said a desalination plant had been attacked for the second day running, causing a fire, in what it called a direct strike on vital civilian infrastructure. [1]
Rising U.S. Military Casualties
A U.S. service member was killed Saturday in northern Iraq during the controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian attack drone. [1] Two other U.S. personnel died in a Friday attack in Jordan, with unidentified remains later found at the site. [1] Central Command said unidentified remains had been found at the site of Friday’s attack and that an examination process to verify the remains is ongoing. [1] The latest casualty announcements brought the total number of U.S. military personnel killed since the war began to 17, with more than 420 others wounded. [1] A service member was killed in Iraq on Saturday during the controlled detonation of a downed Iranian drone. [4] The U.S. military said on Sunday that a service member was killed on Saturday in northern Iraq. [1]
Iranian Casualties and Damage
Iranian authorities reported at least 50 killed and 517 wounded in the latest U.S. strikes this month. [1] Iranian authorities on Sunday said at least 50 people have been killed and 517 wounded in the latest rounds of U.S. strikes. [4] Iranian state media reported explosions being heard in southern and northwestern Iran. [4] Otoritas Iran menyatakan sedikitnya 50 orang meninggal dunia dan lebih dari 500 lainnya terluka akibat gelombang serangan terbaru AS yang berlangsung bulan ini. [2]
Impact on Oil Prices and Shipping
Brent crude futures rose above $90 a barrel on Monday, the highest since June 11, amid stalled shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and fears of a return to all-out war after an interim ceasefire unraveled. [1] Oil prices jumped 3% on Monday, with Brent crude futures surpassing $90 a barrel, the highest level since June 11. [1] The Royal Navy’s United Kingdom Maritime Operations Centre said late Sunday that it received a report that a vessel was on fire not far from the Omani coast. [1] The U.S. in the past week reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports to halt its shipments of crude oil. [4] The military on Saturday said it had redirected six ships and disabled one since then. [4] Concerns about the flow of energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz have persisted since the United States and Iran resumed open hostilities. [1]
Context of Ceasefire Collapse
The U.S. and Iran have intensified attacks as an interim ceasefire agreement signed a month ago has unraveled and a struggle for control of the Strait of Hormuz has deepened. [1] Washington and Teheran saling menuduh telah melanggar kerangka nota kesepahaman yang disepakati pada Juni lalu untuk meredakan konflik. [2] “We hit them very hard again tonight, and we did it in honor of” the U.S. service members killed since Friday, Trump told reporters after he returned from attending the World Cup final. [1] U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that the U.S. is still open to negotiating with Iran but that “it has to be real.” [4] The halfway point has passed in the 60 days the deal set out to negotiate the permanent end of the war and other issues, including Iran’s nuclear program. [4]
What to watch next: Central Command has indicated further operations will continue to target Iranian capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz while the examination of unidentified remains in Jordan proceeds, and U.S. officials have stated they remain open to diplomacy if it is real.
