India, June 11 -- Tensions in West Asia have intensified dramatically after Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following a second consecutive night of US military strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure near the strategic waterway.

According to US Central Command, the strikes were conducted in self-defence and targeted Iranian air defence systems, radar installations, and surveillance facilities in southern Iran, including locations used to monitor maritime traffic. Explosions were reported near Bandar Abbas and on Qeshm Island as the conflict entered a more volatile phase.

In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks against multiple US military facilities across the region, describing the operation as retaliat...