BlockBeats News, July 15th. The situation in the Middle East escalated further last night and this morning. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran announced the launch of "Operation Nasr 2" and stated that the U.S. has entered a "formal state of war." The Iranian side stated that they have attacked U.S. military targets in Bahrain and Jordan, destroying the "Patriot" radar, U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet's air traffic control radar, and C-RAM warning radar systems, and claimed to have attacked the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet Command. Additionally, Iran claimed an explosion at a U.S. military base in Kuwait and stated that they have attacked and destroyed two non-compliant vessels.

The U.S. stated that it has completed a new round of military strikes against Iran, with approximately 50,000 U.S. troops deployed in the Middle East. U.S. officials said that the U.S. military conducted several additional strikes on Iranian military targets on Tuesday to eliminate newly emerged threats.

Situations in various parts of Iran remain tense, with reports of explosions or attacks in areas including the western port of Abadan, Bushehr, Bandar-e Mahshahr, Chabahar, and the island of Qeshm, where the air defense system near the Bushehr nuclear power plant has been activated. Jordan reported intercepting and shooting down four missiles that entered its airspace from Iranian territory.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian military stated that under continued U.S. military actions, the strait will not reopen, and the Revolutionary Guard also stated that as long as the U.S. continues its actions, the reopening of the strait will be further delayed. Meanwhile, France stated that it is prepared to participate in clearing mines in the strait when necessary, and Oman reiterated its commitment to mediate and facilitate the restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

There has been a change in the U.S. policy regarding tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, White House officials mentioned that President Trump was seriously considering imposing a 20% toll, but Trump later stated that no one should charge a fee for the strait, and U.S. Energy Secretary Wright confirmed that the U.S. is no longer considering a 20% toll.

Furthermore, Lebanon and Israel are currently holding negotiations in Rome, Italy, to discuss the implementation of a conflict-ending agreement, including the delineation of the test zone and an Israeli withdrawal timetable. The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the UK for labeling the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a national security threat, while Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister stated that currently, Iran has no commitments under the Tehran Memorandum of Understanding.