US launches ninth night of Iran strikes as strait of Hormuz standoff sees oil price pass $90 a barrel

The US has launched its ninth night of strikes against Iran, as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared the country is in a “full-scale war.” The US military targeted “military command centers, air defence and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and communications networks” in Iran, including areas near Tabriz and Bushehr. In retaliation, Iran attacked Bahrain and Kuwait, and struck tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, causing oil prices to surpass $90 a barrel. The Iran-allied Houthis also announced a blockade of Saudi ports. Despite the escalating conflict, diplomatic efforts are ongoing, with mediators proposing a 10-day ceasefire to revive a previous memorandum of understanding. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “We’re going to continue to respond. If the door opens to diplomacy… that’ll be a very positive development.”