US launches third night of strikes on Iran as Trump announces Hormuz blockade

American president says ships will be charged for safe passage through strait in apparent policy reversal

• https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/jul/13/us-iran-strikes-middle-east-strait-of-hormuz-military-latest-news-updates">Middle East crisis live – latest updates

The US has launched its third consecutive night of strikes on Iran hours after president Donald Trump said Washington would reinstate a maritime blockade on the country and, in an apparently policy reversal, charge ships for safe passage.

“These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the strait of Hormuz,” the US military’s Central Command said.