Why US strikes are expanding deeper into southern Iran

The United States has expanded its airstrikes deeper into southern Iran, moving beyond the coastal belt that has been the primary theatre of operations. The shift comes as tit-for-tat attacks between Washington and Tehran escalate across the Gulf region.

Until now, US strikes had largely targeted Iranian positions near the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes. But recent raids have hit sites farther inland, including logistics hubs and command centres.

Strait of Hormuz traffic drops sharply

The escalation is taking a measurable toll on global shipping. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has declined significantly in recent weeks, according to maritime tracking data. Shipping companies are diverting vessels or delaying transits as the risk of being caught in crossfire grows.

A Reuters report notes that the drop in transits coincides with a series of US-Iranian engagements at sea. Iran has threatened to close the strait, while US naval forces have stepped up patrols and interceptions. The result has been a near-gridlock for commercial shipping.

Vessels bound for or leaving Indian ports are among the top applicants seeking safe passage through the strait, according to a report by The Indian Express. Indian shipping firms have approached both US and Iranian authorities for guarantees of non-interference.

Trump’s ‘20% Hormuz toll’ plan blocked

A previously unreported episode reveals how close the crisis came to taking a more drastic turn. According to NDTV, former US President Donald Trump proposed imposing a 20% toll on all vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The plan was meant to punish Iran and fund US naval operations in the region.

But Gulf leaders shut the proposal down within 24 hours. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf Cooperation Council states warned that such a toll would cripple their own economies and hand Iran a propaganda victory. The idea was shelved, but the underlying tensions remain.

Ambiguity in the Hormuz MoU

Meanwhile, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the US and several Gulf states has come under scrutiny. Al Jazeera reports that the document contains what analysts call “fatal ambiguity” over the term “safe passage.”

The MoU commits signatories to ensure freedom of navigation, but does not define what constitutes a safe corridor or who is responsible for enforcing it. This lack of clarity has left commercial shippers unsure whether they can rely on the agreement. Some have called for a more explicit security framework.

The Indian Express report underscores that vessels to and from India are among the top applicants for passage under the MoU. New Delhi has not publicly taken sides in the conflict, but its dependence on Gulf oil and trade routes makes it a deeply interested party.

What happens next

The expansion of US strikes into southern Iran suggests Washington is preparing for a prolonged campaign. Tehran has vowed to retaliate, and the Hormuz corridor remains the most likely flashpoint. With traffic already down and shipping companies scrambling for alternatives, the next few weeks will test whether diplomatic channels can reopen before the strait effectively closes.