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Switzerland
Switzerland Desk · · 30s summary · 5 min read
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on July 13, 2026 at 4:45 p.m. ET (10:45 p.m. Central European Time) a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran. Two UAE-flagged oil tankers were hit by Iranian cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one Indian sailor and injuring eight crew members. President Trump announced restoration of a US blockade targeting Iranian ports near the Strait, effective July 14 at 8 p.m. GMT, plus a 20% tax on cargo transiting the waterway. Trump stated an agreement with Tehran remained "possible." WTI crude oil surged 4.1% to $74.33 per barrel on the evening of July 12 following the fourth wave of strikes in one week.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on July 13, 2026 at 4:45 p.m. ET (10:45 p.m. Central European Time) the launch of a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, shortly after midnight Tehran time.
These operations aim to inflict heavy losses on Iranian forces and reduce their capacity to attack civilians and disrupt maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.
Four explosions were heard near Bandar Abbas, a port city in southern Iran on the Strait, according to IRNA—the Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran's official state news agency under the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Orientation.
Two UAE-flagged oil tankers, the Mombasa and Al-Bahiyah, were struck by two Iranian cruise missiles in Omani territorial waters, in the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz.
One Indian sailor was killed and eight crew members were injured. Fires aboard were subsequently brought under control.
The UAE Ministry of Defense condemned the attack as a "grave violation of international law" and reserved the right to respond.
President Trump announced the restoration of a US naval blockade—a measure aimed at preventing merchant vessels from accessing a nation's ports—targeting Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz. According to the US military, this blockade takes effect on July 14, 2026 at 8 p.m. GMT (10 p.m. Central European Time).
Trump also announced a 20% tax on cargo transiting through the Strait.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, speaking at an event in São Caetano do Sul (São Paulo), said the US would be acting as "pirates" if it imposed such a transit tax.
When questioned in the Oval Office on July 13, 2026, Trump said an agreement with Iran remained "possible".
possible
— Donald Trump, Oval Office, July 13, 2026 (on the possibility of a deal with Iran)
On the evening of July 12, 2026, following a fourth wave of US airstrikes in one week, WTI (West Texas Intermediate, a crude oil type used as the international reference benchmark for crude oil pricing) surged 4.1% to $74.33 per barrel. Brent rose 3.88% to $78.96 per barrel. Brent had already gained 5.4% the previous week.
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A ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran had been in place before the July 2026 escalation. Trump had declared the truce with Tehran over a few days before July 13, opening the way for a campaign of direct strikes against Iran.
In a radio interview on July 13, 2026, Trump said the US would strike Iran "hard tonight — and tomorrow too".
hard tonight — and tomorrow too
— Donald Trump, radio interview, July 13, 2026
In the night of July 11-12, 2026, the US conducted approximately 140 strikes against Iran. On July 12, in retaliation, Iran launched missiles and drones against Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain, and struck American military bases in Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.
On the same July 12, a merchant vessel was attacked in the Strait and abandoned on fire by its crew. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC, the Iranian paramilitary organization reporting directly to the Supreme Leader) also targeted a container ship.
The effective status of the Strait of Hormuz is subject to conflicting claims: Tehran declared the passage closed "until further notice" on July 12, 2026, but CENTCOM asserts the Strait remains open to navigation.
The exact date of the blockade announcement is not established with certainty: Le Temps dates it to Monday, July 13, 2026, while a Lost in the Jungle article dates it to July 14. The implementation date of July 14 at 8 p.m. GMT is consistent between both sources.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. It is bordered to the north by Iran and to the south by the UAE and the Sultanate of Oman. It is a major transit route for global oil exports.
A naval blockade consists of a naval force investing a coastline to prevent merchant ships from communicating with ports in the blocked zone. Trump's announced blockade targets Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz.
The fourth wave of US strikes in a week and Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz fueled supply disruption concerns. WTI gained 4.1% and Brent rose 3.88% on July 12, 2026.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is an Iranian paramilitary organization reporting directly to the Supreme Leader of Iran. They are part of Iran's armed forces and have targeted vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.