US-Iran strikes escalate as Strait of Hormuz becomes flashpoint

Trump threatens renewed attacks after Iran fires on tankers, while oil prices surge and European aviation warns of risks.

US-Iran strikes escalate as Strait of Hormuz becomes flashpoint — Over the past 24 hours, Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces fired on three tankers attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz via Omani territorial waters.[^1] The US military responded by striking over 80 targets in Iran, after Iranian damage to three commercial ships.[^2] Iran retaliated by attacking over 85 targets in Bahrain and Kuwait.[^3] President Donald Trump stated the US might attack again, saying 'we hit them hard' and 'we might hit them again tonight,' while calling Iranians 'scumbags' and 'sick people.'[^4] A member of the Iranian National Security Committee, Ebrahim Rezaei, threatened that 'no American soldier will return alive.'[^5] Iran now demands $2 million per tanker for passage through the Strait, a move that could generate $10 billion annually.[^1] The attacks drove Brent crude prices to $76 per barrel.[^6] The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued an unusual warning to airlines to avoid flights over Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon until August 31.[^7] At the NATO summit in Ankara, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived for high-stakes talks, seeking closer ties with the alliance.[^8] Trump threw the summit into disarray by demanding the US halt all trade with Spain, calling Spain 'a wasted cause.' The Spanish government responded that trade policy is determined with the European Union, not with a single country. Meanwhile, the Iraqi government set a deadline of September 30 for armed militias to surrender their weapons, but some—notably Kata'ib Hezbollah—have refused, declaring they will not hand over 'even a single bullet.' The escalation raises a central question: can the Strait of Hormuz remain open without a broader war, or are both sides locked into a cycle of retaliation that neither can easily exit? Education standoff and October 7 commemoration bill advance — The Knesset Education Committee approved today for second and third readings the bill for the commemoration of the October 7 massacre and heroism, moving it closer to becoming law.[^1] The legislation aims to establish a state framework for remembering the events and those killed. Separately, the Binyamin Regiona