US and Iran Trade Strikes as Hormuz Crisis Deepens

The conflict between the US and Iran continued to escalate after the US military, acting on orders from President Donald Trump, carried out large-scale airstrikes on Iranian military targets for a sixth consecutive night.

The attacks hit dozens of sites, including Kish Island, the port of Bandar Abbas, Iran Shahr airport and bridges in Bandar Khamir, where local authorities said seven people were killed.

Washington launched the strikes in response to earlier Iranian actions, particularly attacks on commercial shipping, and is seeking to weaken Tehran’s ability to control the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump also threatened further attacks on civilian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard responded with another wave of missile and drone attacks on US military bases in neighboring countries.

Tehran said its forces had struck the US Special Forces headquarters at al-Tanf in Syria overnight, along with other targets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.

The escalation has again paralyzed traffic through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, sending global oil and gas prices sharply higher.

Tehran has declared that it has full control of the strait and warned that, in the event of further attacks, it could use the Yemeni Houthis to block the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea.

(Reuters, Max)