U.S. escalates strikes on Iran as port blockade resumes amid rising tensions

The United States launched a new round of strikes against Iran to degrade its ability to attack shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and announced the resumption of a naval blockade on Iranian ports as CENTCOM says forces are active across the region. Iran retaliated with strikes on Kuwaiti targets and other locations, while sanctions were issued and crude oil prices rose to four-week highs. Diplomatically, Lebanon-Israel talks in Rome were described as productive, Trump shifted from a Hormuz toll idea to pursuing Gulf trade deals, and the UN rights chief warned that renewed hostilities represent a major civilian setback.