US escalates Iran strikes on Hormuz infrastructure, UK pulls diplomats
Escalating US military strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure near the Strait of Hormuz are threatening commercial shipping lanes vital to European energy supplies, prompting the UK to temporarily withdraw its embassy staff from Tehran.
The United States has carried out a 12th night of military strikes against Iran, with both sides increasingly targeting civilian infrastructure in a conflict that directly threatens commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that the US will destroy one bridge or power plant each time Iran shoots at a ship in the vital waterway. The warning followed a wave of strikes that saw Iranian air defenses open fire over the capital, Tehran.
This escalation poses a severe risk to European energy security. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas markets. US Central Command stated the latest strikes aim to “further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters” as the US attempts to restore the flow of international shipping. Any prolonged disruption to these routes would likely drive up energy costs for European businesses and consumers.
The deteriorating security environment has triggered a diplomatic response from Europe. The United Kingdom has temporarily withdrawn diplomatic staff from its embassy in Tehran, citing the security situation. The UK took a similar step before US and Israeli combat operations began in late February, though other Western embassies have so far opted to remain open in the Iranian capital.
In Washington, lawmakers moved to sustain the military campaign. The House of Representatives adopted a $95 billion budget proposal to fund the Iran war and other White House priorities in a narrow 216-214 vote.
The Republican-only measure faced internal party skepticism over the lack of offsetting budget cuts, but Speaker Mike Johnson pushed it through ahead of the midterm elections. “Just bullets and bombs to finish the job,” said Rep. Jodey Arrington, the Republican chairman of the Budget Committee. Democrats opposed the package entirely, with Rep. Pete Aguilar arguing the funds should be spent domestically rather than on “Trump’s failed war in Iran.”
Saudi nuclear deal advances
Alongside the military campaign, the US is moving to solidify its long-term strategic alliances in the region. The administration announced it will submit a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress for review. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Minister of Energy Abdulaziz bin Salman signed the agreement, which could ultimately grant Saudi Arabia uranium enrichment capability for its civilian program.
The Energy Department said the deal provides access for US companies in the Saudi nuclear energy market. Officials stated it lays the legal foundation for a multibillion-dollar partnership intended to advance nuclear nonproliferation while meeting Saudi energy needs.
