US and Iran Trade Escalating Strikes, Raising Fears of Wider Conflict and Disrupting Strait of Hormuz Shipping

The United States and Iran have exchanged renewed strikes, with Iran launching missiles and drones at several Gulf states, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, and the UAE, in retaliation for US attacks on Iranian targets. Iran also declared the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane for oil and gas, although the UK-led Joint Maritime Information Centre stated the southern route remains open with a 'severe' threat level. The UN Secretary-General has urged both nations to de-escalate and resume negotiations.