U.S. Military Continues Bombing Iran for the Tenth Consecutive Night; Iran Attacks U.S. Radar and Air Defense Systems; Houthis Threaten Saudi Red Sea Exits

Two weeks after Iran and the United States resumed hostile actions, both sides have intensified military strikes, with the conflict showing signs of spreading to the Red Sea.

The U.S. military announced on Tuesday that it had completed its tenth consecutive night of bombing Iran's Islamic Republic, stating that targets included military command centers and maritime objectives, "aimed at undermining Iran's ability to continue attacking merchant vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz."

In response, Iran focused its attacks on U.S. radar and air defense installations in the Gulf region and warned of launching "more powerful" strikes. The conflict faces further escalation as Yemen’s Houthi rebels become increasingly involved.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard claimed that two oil tankers were intercepted while sailing outside the Oman Sea along routes not recognized by Tehran, saying the vessels "stopped after explosions ignited fires onboard."

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) had previously reported that one vessel was hit by an "unknown projectile" about 8 nautical miles (approximately 15 kilometers) northeast of Limah, Oman, prompting the crew to abandon ship.

Red Sea

As the U.S.-Iran war escalates, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia on Monday, threatening the ability of the world’s largest oil exporter to route shipments around the Strait of Hormuz via the Red Sea.

Due to Houthi threats and escalating U.S.-Iran hostilities, oil prices reached their highest level in over a month on Monday but saw a slight decline on Tuesday.

Since the conflict erupted in February, 17 U.S. service members have been killed, including three recently slain in Jordan and Iraq.

Donald Trump claimed that for every American soldier killed in the Middle East, Iran would pay "multiple times" the price; meanwhile, Tehran believes it is facing a "full-scale war."

Source: rfi

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1871330906554436/

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