US forces launch new strikes on Iran targeting IRGC units, threats to shipping in Strait of Hormuz as regional tensions soarFollow live updates https://t.co/uE6gN9iZHe https://t.co/JmsXAnB7Ub News Analysis & Summary In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, U.S. forces have conducted new military strikes targeting units of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The operation comes amid heightened fears for global energy security, with credible reports indicating that IRGC-backed elements are preparing to disrupt commercial shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuza chokepoint for nearly a fifth of the world's oil supply. Regional tensions have soared to levels not seen in years, with both sides exchanging warnings of further retaliation. My opinion: This marks a dangerous inflection point. While the U.S. has long sought to deter Iranian aggression through sanctions and diplomatic pressure, direct kinetic strikes on IRGC assets inside Iran risk triggering a broader, unpredictable conflict. The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most critical oil transit lane; any sustained disruption could send energy prices skyrocketing and destabilize global markets. Moreover, targeting the IRGCa powerful state-within-a-statechallenges Tehran's red lines. Without clear de-escalation channels, we may be witnessing the opening salvo of a protracted confrontation that neither side can easily walk away from. Source: @trtworld on X/TwitterPublic Engagement Views: 2,408 Likes: 5 Shares: 2 Published: July 18, 2026, 10:37 pm