US Strikes Iran as Regional Conflict Escalates

The US launched fresh strikes against Iran on Wednesday, escalating a five-month-old war that is drawing in more countries. US Central Command stated the strikes began at 8pm ET as retaliation for attempted Iranian attacks on American forces. Earlier, a drone hit a US-owned gas storage tanker at Egypt's Damietta port, confirmed by British security firm Ambrey, though Egypt's petroleum ministry only noted a fire. US and Saudi forces also struck Iran-aligned groups in eastern Iraq, and Iran fired missiles at US troops in Jordan. The Houthis in Yemen declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia last week.