US strikes Iran as Tehran retaliates, raising fears of wider conflict

The latest U.S. attacks came just days after strikes on Sunday ended a month-long pause in military action between Washington and Tehran. The renewed violence has increased concerns about a broader regional conflict, pushed global oil prices higher and created additional political challenges for Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections.

President Donald Trump warned Iran against retaliating, saying Tehran would face a much stronger response if it attacked U.S. forces or interests. U.S. Central Command said the strikes were carried out after Iran attempted to target commercial vessels and American military forces in the Middle East.

Trump separately. S. forces had also targeted Iranian radar systems. “They tried to rebuild their radar because they can’t see anything,” Trump said,.

“We waited until it was almost built and then we hit it.”By late Tuesday, explosions were reported over Aqaba in southern Jordan as Iran said it was responding to the American strikes. Iranian state media accused the United States of striking civilian locations along the country’s southern coast, including an airport.

Ahmad Nafisi, deputy governor of Hormozgan province, said a U.S. strike hit a home in Kuhestak during a wedding ceremony, killing two people and injuring at least 50. Rescue officials with the Iranian Red Crescent later said four people, including a child, had been killed.

U.S. Central Command did not immediately comment on the reports. Iran threatens further retaliation. Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff and joint military command vowed to deliver what they described as “crushing and devastating blows” against the United States.

Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency also quoted the Revolutionary Guard as saying the latest attacks had strengthened the country’s determination to resist Washington. The group also warned that Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz would become tighter.

Explosions were reported in several areas along Iran’s southern coast, including Bandar Abbas, a major port city that hosts naval and air force facilities, as well as Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Witnesses in Bandar Abbas the blasts appeared stronger than those reported Sunday and that smoke could be seen rising over the eastern part of the city.

Iranian state television reported that U.S. strikes hit a fishmeal factory on Qeshm Island and other civilian locations in Hormozgan province. Among the reported sites were a fishing pier and a tower operated by Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization in Sirik.

State television also reported a strike near Jiroft Airport in Kerman province. Iranian officials said the projectile landed outside the runway and caused neither casualties nor damage to airport infrastructure. Iran’s electricity-grid operator, Tavanir, said parts of the power network in Hormozgan province were also damaged, resulting in outages that authorities were working to restore.

Strait of Hormuz under renewed pressure. The latest escalation has placed renewed focus on the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway off Iran’s southern coast through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil normally passes.

Iran has effectively restricted shipping through the strait since the conflict intensified, while the United States and Iran remain locked in a struggle over control of the vital shipping route. Oil prices have surged as the fighting has resumed.

Crude prices, which were already about 7% higher for the week, continued climbing following Tuesday’s strikes.

Oil prices have risen more than 50% since the start of the year, contributing to higher gasoline costs in the United States., the national average price for regular gasoline rose overnight to about $4.10 a gallon, compared with $3.19 at the same time last year.