US and Iran Exchange Strikes Amid Intensified Conflict Over Strait of Hormuz

The United States and Iran have escalated their conflict over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy shipping route. The US military has conducted new airstrikes against Iranian coastal defense systems and cruise missile storage facilities, while Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks on US allies in the region. Despite the intensified fighting, diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation are reportedly ongoing but stalled, with Pakistan attempting to mediate. US President Trump has threatened to widen strikes if Iran does not return to negotiations. The conflict has led to a reimposed US naval blockade of Iranian ports and has pushed up global oil and fuel prices, disrupting supply chains.