US escalates strikes on Iran as Hormuz tensions spike

The US launched a sixth straight night of strikes against Iran to degrade its military capabilities, while renewing a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz that included marines boarding an oil tanker and redirecting vessels. Reports say blasts hit near Qeshm, Bandar Abbas, and Bushehr (home to a nuclear plant) and a bridge in Hormozgan, as Tehran signaled willingness to discuss but warned against breaches of any agreement. The situation underscores worsening hostilities over the Hormuz corridor amid ongoing diplomacy efforts.