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Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The United States conducted new airstrikes against Iran targeting its military command centers and other sites in retaliation for the death of a U.S. service member.
- Iran fired missiles toward Jordan, escalating regional tensions and risking a wider conflict.
- The conflict has stalled shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and driven benchmark Brent crude prices above $90 a barrel.
The United States launched a new wave of airstrikes early Monday targeting Iranian military command centers, air defense sites, and communications networks. These strikes, now in their ninth consecutive night, are in retaliation for the killing of a U.S. service member in Iraq on Saturday during the "controlled detonation" of an Iranian drone.
"We hit them very hard again tonight," stated U.S. President Donald Trump, vowing retribution for the soldiers killed. The U.S. military reported that the service member died during the detonation of a downed Iranian drone. Earlier, strikes on Friday targeted Iran's Revolutionary Guard, retaliating for troops killed in Jordan. Since the conflict began, 17 U.S. service members have lost their lives.
Adding to the escalating tensions, Iran fired missiles toward Jordan, a move that risks drawing neighboring Israel into the widening conflict. The ongoing exchanges have stalled shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint. Benchmark Brent crude oil prices surged above $90 a barrel on Monday, exacerbating a global energy crisis already fueled by the conflict.
Both the U.S. and Iran have targeted civilian infrastructure, impacting millions of people. The U.S. military's Central Command detailed the targets of the latest strikes, which included maritime capabilities and missile launch sites. Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported explosions in southern and northwestern Iran. A ship caught fire early Monday in the Strait of Hormuz near Oman's coast, with the Guard later claiming responsibility for targeting tankers in the strait.
We hit them very hard again tonight.
Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.