US Launches Fresh Strikes on Iran as Middle East War Widens
The United States launched fresh strikes on Iran on Wednesday night, further expanding a five-month conflict that is increasingly drawing more countries across the Middle East into the fighting.
The US Central Command said the strikes began at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Washington described the operation as a forceful response to Iran’s attempted attacks on American troops stationed in the region a day earlier.
Tensions also spread to Egypt and Iraq. A drone reportedly struck a US-owned gas storage tanker at Egypt’s Damietta port, while US and Saudi forces attacked Iran-aligned groups in eastern Iraq.
US President Donald Trump had earlier vowed to retaliate after Tehran fired missiles at American military bases in Jordan. Trump said the US would strike Iran hard, although Washington would continue pursuing the possibility of a peace agreement.
Iran confirmed that it had targeted US bases in Jordan and ships operating in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran also rejected Oman’s proposal to jointly manage the strategic shipping route.
The widening conflict immediately pushed oil prices sharply higher. Brent crude surged more than 8% to above US$90 per barrel as markets renewed concerns over supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz and other major energy routes in the Middle East.
Source : Newsmaker.id
