Bombing resumes in Strait of Hormuz region

U.S. and Iranian forces resumed daily airstrikes around the Strait of Hormuz on July 21, officials said, heightening risks to shipping through the narrow corridor that links the Persian Gulf to open waters. Officials said both sides have stepped up operations even as Washington says it is open to diplomacy.

U.S. and Iran daily strikes

Officials said Iranian units have so far refused to withdraw control over the corridor and that U.S. strikes aim to disrupt Iran's ability to target tanker traffic. The administration said it remains willing to pursue diplomatic channels, while officials in Tehran described continued operations as necessary to secure national interests.

The resumed bombing raises immediate operational questions for tankers, insurers and charterers. Shipping sources and insurance brokers have told officials that intensified attacks typically raise premiums and encourage route adjustments; those responses can increase transit times and costs even without large-scale supply disruptions.

Expect public updates and fresh shipping-data releases by July 24, 2026, as governments and maritime agencies monitor convoy movements and insurance notices. Officials said the next 72 hours will be crucial to whether air operations contain the threat to seaborne oil flows or broaden into a longer campaign.