The conflict between the United States and Iran intensified on Monday as both countries exchanged fresh military strikes, further escalating tensions across the Middle East. The latest developments centred around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, with Iran insisting it would continue to control the waterway despite US President Donald Trump’s declaration that Washington would become its “guardian.”US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American forces carried out drone strikes targeting an Iranian submarine and a ship maintenance facility at Bandar Abbas Naval Base.
According to the US military, the operation was aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping passing through the Gulf.Iran responded firmly, with senior officials rejecting Trump’s claims over the Strait of Hormuz.
Mohammed Mokhber, an adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, said Tehran would never retreat from defending the strategic waterway, describing it as essential to protecting Iran’s maritime interests

