US launches new Iran strikes, reimposes naval blockade amid escalating tensions

The United States escalated its military actions against Iran, launching strikes for a fourth day and reimposing a naval blockade aimed at preventing ships from sailing to or from Iranian ports. US Central Command stated the strikes targeted Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

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degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping

This renewed naval blockade took effect shortly after the US strikes began. A senior Iranian official suggested the move jeopardized a recent deal to pause the conflict for peace talks. Earlier, Iran reported that previous US strikes had hit its island of Qeshm in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping channel, and "four points" in Bushehr, which houses Iran's sole civilian nuclear power plant, as well as a border area near Iraq and Kuwait.

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I have decided to replace the 20% United States Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making into the United States.

In response to the escalating tensions, US President Donald Trump announced he was scrapping a planned levy on ships passing through the strait. He stated this fee would be replaced by trade and investment deals with Gulf allies. Since the previous week, renewed US attacks have resulted in at least 28 deaths in Iran, according to an AFP tally. Iran's Revolutionary Guards also announced they had fired missiles and drones at Bahrain, targeting facilities used by US forces, though Bahrain reported intercepting "several treacherous aerial attacks" and accused Tehran of targeting civilians.

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several treacherous aerial attacks launched by Iran