The United States conducted its 10th consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, targeting Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems.
Escalating Conflict
The escalation in violence comes as Iran attacked a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing its crew to abandon the ship. The US military has encouraged ships to travel around Oman to avoid Iran’s control of the strait.
Iran’s interior minister traveled to Pakistan for talks, but it remains unclear what new deal could be reached to end the fighting. The US State Department warned Americans that Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target US interests overseas.
The conflict has pushed oil prices higher, with benchmark Brent crude trading above $88 a barrel and regular gasoline in the US climbing to an average of $4 a gallon. The US military identified two soldiers who were killed in Jordan in attacks that left a third person missing.
Casualties and Diplomacy
Iranian authorities reported that at least 50 people have been killed and 517 wounded in the latest rounds of US strikes. Since the war began on February 28, 17 US service members have been killed. The US Secretary of State said the US is still open to negotiating with Iran, but it has to be real.
Pakistan has intensified diplomatic efforts to resuscitate the interim deal. Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni arrived in Islamabad for two days of talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and others.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
