Israel and the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah in Lebanon traded strikes on Wednesday. Three ships were hit near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil route.
A video posted by the U.S. Central Command showed munitions striking nine vessels, most of which were moored at the time. Whether any mines have been laid in Gulf waters was unclear.
Oil prices and stocks initially swung wildly, and Iran’s foreign minister promised “surprises,” calling the strikes against his country “Operation Epic Mistake.”
Opponents of the government, however, worried the new supreme leader, a son of the recently killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would rule with an iron fist like his father.