Tehran says Strait of Hormuz shut as US launches fresh strikes on Iran; Gulf states hit

Tensions in the Middle East have dramatically intensified with Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz and launching attacks on US facilities across the Gulf, including in the UAE, following fresh US strikes against Iran. This cycle of retaliation indicates a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, raising fears of broader regional instability. With the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, now shut by Tehran, the implications for global trade and energy supplies are profound, making this development a major concern for international security and economics.