Trump reposted a revised Hormuz Strait message after deleting an earlier version, while the White House denied the energy secretary’s claim that the U.S. Navy had escorted a tanker. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found only 33% said Trump had clearly explained the purpose of U.S. action against Iran.
Trump said US military objectives in Iran were close to completion, while markets reacted to signs of a possible de-escalation. Bitcoin held firm and Morgan Stanley opened access to spot BTC ETFs for its advisory network.
Trump declared the destruction of six Iranian military capabilities at a White House press conference, estimating 15-20 years for rebuilding. Iran's earlier 'Vietnam War' warning failed to materialize. Financial markets face oil shock risks, with Bitcoin pressured by geopolitical tensions; analysts had flagged a potential drop to $46K.
Trump said on Truth Social that the U.S. would strike Iran “very hard tonight” and later seize Kharg Island and other oil facilities to control Iran’s oil and gas market.
Trump said U.S. forces had severely damaged Iran’s navy, air force, missiles, and related facilities, while adding that Iran was seeking a deal and that the market impact on stocks and oil had been less severe than expected.
Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz fell sharply after Iran said it was again closing the passage, according to a newsflash published by Odaily citing China Central Television (CCTV). Data cited by Iran from commercial shipping trackers showed that only 11 commercial vessels passed through the strait in the past 24 hours. That total included eight oil tankers and three cargo ships. Earlier on local time July 12, the navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement that it had fired warning shots at a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The statement said the current unsafe situation was caused by what it called “illegal interference by foreign powers.” Iran said the strait would remain temporarily closed until further notice, and that no ships would be allowed to pass until the United States ended its intervention in the region. The report did not provide additional operational details beyond the vessel count and the IRGC statement.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it destroyed the command and control center and an MQ-9 drone hangar at Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan, according to an Odaily newsflash citing Jinshi. In the same statement, Iran said the United States tried again the previous night to create tensions in the southern Strait of Hormuz, but the move was stopped after what it described as a forceful response from its navy. Iran also warned that continued U.S. aggression would trigger a stronger response. The report did not provide independent verification or additional operational details beyond the statement.
According to Xinhua, the navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced early on July 12 that the Strait of Hormuz is closed with immediate effect and that no vessels are allowed to pass. Iran said earlier that foreign interference in the strait’s affairs and the illegal designation of shipping routes would face a “firm response.” It said the closure would remain in place until further notice and until the United States stops interfering in the region. Iran also warned that if Washington uses the incident as a pretext for new attacks on Iran, it would respond forcefully and strike more U.S. bases in the Middle East.
