Hormuz closure, Gulf strikes: What we know about the latest Iran-US attacks

Prospects of a lasting end to the Middle East conflict dimmed further over the weekend, as the United States and Iran exchanged another wave of strikes, catching several Gulf states and ships in the crossfire.



Tensions between the two sides have been escalating since last week, with the latest round of attacks coming after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed on Sunday (Jul 12).



While Iran's nuclear programme initially underpinned US involvement in the conflict, control of the Strait of Hormuz has now emerged as the central flashpoint.



Under an interim deal signed in June, Iran had committed to allowing commercial vessels to pass through the strait safely and without charge for 60 days.



That arrangement began to unravel in early July, after Washington accused Tehran of hitting several tankers in the waterway - triggering an initial round of retaliatory strikes.



The latest escalation followed Iran’s declaration on Sunday that the strait was closed, after a vessel travelling on what it described as an unapproved route was struck.