The United States and Iran exchanged military strikes overnight for the second consecutive night, signaling a sharp escalation after a brief ceasefire that lasted less than three weeks. The renewed hostilities mark a significant setback following President Donald Trump’s announcement that the ceasefire is effectively over.

On July 9, Iranian state media and military officials reported targeted drone attacks against U.S. military infrastructure in neighboring Gulf countries. The Iranian army claimed strikes on U.S. Patriot missile defense batteries in Kuwait, a satellite antenna in Qatar, and fuel storage facilities in Bahrain. The Pentagon has not independently confirmed these reported attacks.

In response, U.S. Central Command stated that American forces conducted airstrikes against 90 sites in Iran on July 8. These targets included air defense systems, missile and drone storage locations, and naval assets, reflecting Washington's assertion that the strikes were punitive measures following Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

President Trump described the U.S. strikes as “retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran” and warned of more severe consequences if such incidents recur. The conflicting claims underscore the high-stakes competition for control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil passes. Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad B. Ghalibaf, issued a warning on X (formerly Twitter), asserting that American threats would not dictate access to the strait. “If you strike, you’ll get hit,” the post read. “The waterway will only open with ‘Iranian arrangements.’”

Vice President JD Vance emphasized the strategic importance of keeping the strait open and suggested a strong military response to any attempts by Iran to close it. The escalating violence comes amid stalled negotiations addressing broader issues, including Iran’s nuclear program and the potential release of Iranian frozen assets by the United States. However, President Trump has indicated he does not anticipate a return to the intense conflict levels witnessed in the war’s early months.

Iran's Foreign Ministry intensified its rhetoric on July 9, accusing the U.S. of fabricating a pretext to violate Iranian sovereignty and target a railway leading to a significant religious shrine. The ministry condemned what it called American “disinformation and military aggression,” while highlighting widespread public mourning for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a U.S.-Israeli airstrike in late February.

The ongoing conflict has severely disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Since hostilities resumed, only two oil tankers have successfully transited the waterway as of the morning of July 9, with several ships turning back to avoid potential attacks. This disruption has contributed to increased volatility in global energy markets. Gasoline prices in the United States rose modestly to a national average of $3.85 per gallon on July 9, up from $3.80 the previous day but still below June levels. Crude oil prices hovered near $73.50 per barrel after a significant increase in the prior session.

The United Nations has condemned attacks on vessels in the strait, highlighting the plight of approximately 6,000 seafarers stranded amid the ongoing hostilities. Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the U.N.’s International Maritime Organization, called for an end to the violence, stating, “No seafarer should have to risk their life simply for doing their job.”