US-Iran escalation after truce

Iran and the United States exchanged intensified fire in a week-long escalation that has largely unraveled last month's truce. The US launched two big waves of air strikes in a single day on Wednesday, mostly on targets near Iran's southern coast, and continued strikes on Thursday, including on Iran — Qeshm Island and near Iran — Bandar Abbas. Iran responded with missiles and drones targeting US military bases in neighboring states, including a barrage at a recently expanded air base in Jordan. After Tehran resumed its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Washington reimposed a blockade of Iranian ports. Iran has signaled it could prod its Houthi allies in Yemen to close the Bab al-Mandeb strait if Washington attacks Iran's infrastructure. The re-escalation has largely halted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing up global energy prices. Amid the fighting, US President Donald Trump hailed the release of a US citizen, Dena Karari, as a gesture of goodwill, but Iran's judiciary disputed that any American prisoner had been released. Trump has not ruled out using ground forces, including to seize Iran — Kharg Island, and has threatened to hit Iranian power plants and bridges next week unless Tehran resumes negotiations. Iran's military spokesman said that if Trump carries out that threat, Iran would strike all remaining infrastructure across the region.