Islands under Iranian control tighten grip on Hormuz; US strikes widen upheaval amid tensions over Iran’s southern frontier and oil exports.
The United States has carried out multiple waves of strikes across Iran, including near Tehran and the southern port of Bandar Abbas, to degrade Iran's ability to threaten ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded with missiles and drones against US-linked bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. The June memorandum of understanding to pause the war has weakened and maritime traffic through Hormuz has fallen.
The three islands—Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb—have long anchored Iran’s presence in the Strait of Hormuz. Recent U.S. strikes on two islands have reignited questions about ownership and future control, highlighting their strategic role in global energy shipping.