International News 12 June 2026
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Iran Announces Hormuz Closure
Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday (June 11), following the latest U.S. strikes on several locations in the southern part of the country. Iran’s Joint Military Command stated that all maritime traffic through the strategic waterway, including oil tankers and commercial vessels, has been suspended, warning that any ship attempting to transit the strait could be targeted. Iranian media reported that two vessels allegedly violating the navigation ban were attacked by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC Navy). The announcement came shortly after Tehran accused Washington of carrying out fresh attacks on targets in southern Iran, further escalating tensions between the two countries. Meanwhile, the U.S. military denied reports that its warships near the Strait of Hormuz had been attacked, despite Iranian state media claims of missile and drone strikes against American vessels. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) also maintained that commercial shipping operations through the strategic chokepoint remain ongoing.
https://internasional.kontan.co.id/news/iran-resmi-tutup-selat-hormuz-usai-serangan-terbaru-as
U.S. Becomes World’s Top Oil Exporter
The United States has officially emerged as the world’s largest oil exporter, reshaping a global energy landscape that had long been dominated by Saudi Arabia and Russia. The shift further strengthens the position of U.S. energy companies in international markets, while ongoing geopolitical developments continue to alter global trade flows. According to Reuters, the achievement marks a historic turning point for the U.S. energy sector. In the 1970s, the country relied heavily on Middle Eastern oil imports and was severely impacted by the 1973 OPEC oil embargo following its support for Israel. However, the rapid expansion of shale oil and gas production after 2010 transformed the industry. Advances in extraction technology enabled the U.S. to become the world’s largest natural gas producer before eventually overtaking other nations as the leading crude oil producer and exporter.
U.S.-Iran Tensions Escalate Further
Tensions in the Middle East intensified after the United States and Iran exchanged airstrikes for a second consecutive day, raising concerns that the fragile ceasefire reached in April could soon collapse. The latest escalation has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict as both sides continue to trade military attacks. According to Reuters, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Washington could launch further large-scale strikes if Tehran fails to agree to a peace deal. The latest round of hostilities was triggered after a U.S. Apache attack helicopter was reportedly shot down near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week. In response, both countries carried out retaliatory operations, including attacks on U.S. military installations in the region. The U.S. military stated that its recent strikes targeted Iran’s surveillance facilities, communication systems, and air defense infrastructure, describing the operation as a response to Tehran’s “continued aggression”.