Iran vows not a ‘single drop’ of oil or gas will pass strait of Hormuz as US carries out ninth night of strikes – Middle East crisis live

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>Revolutionary Guard says it targeted US aircraft in Jordan and stopped two tankers in strait while American military says it is ‘holding Iran accountable’</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/20/us-strikes-iran-strait-of-hormuz-oil-prices">US launches ninth night of Iran strikes as strait of Hormuz standoff sees oil price pass $90 a barrel</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>The price of oil jumped in early Asian trade on Monday</strong> after the US carried out its latest wave of strikes on Iran and a vessel caught fire in the strait of Hormuz.</p><p><strong>Brent crud</strong>e for September delivery rose 2.72% to $90.50 a barrel by around 0100 GMT, after briefly crossing $91 – its highest price since June.</p><p>CENTCOM assets targeted Iranian military command centers, air defense and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and communications networks to further diminish Iran’s ability to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz.</p><p>The U.S. military is holding Iran accountable at the Commander in Chief’s direction.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/jul/20/us-iran-war-live-updates-strikes-strait-of-hormuz-middle-east-crisis-latest-news">Continue reading...</a> This development from The Guardian highlights ongoing changes in the sector.