Iran returns to no-limits Gulf State target list after declaring Strait of Hormuz closed

Published July 12, 2026 5:02pm ET | Updated July 12, 2026 8:48pm ET



Iran expanded strikes into neutral Oman and the United Arab Emirates for the first time since May on Sunday after declaring the Strait of Hormuz was closed once again.

Iran unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones across the Gulf, targeting the largest swathes of nations since May. Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, the U.A.E., and Jordan were all targeted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in response to a large wave of U.S. airstrikes against 140 targets on Saturday, which was in turn in response to an attack on a Cyprus-flagged merchant vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

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