The U.S. launched airstrikes against Iran early Wednesday in response to the crash of an American attack helicopter blamed on Tehran, triggering new Iranian attacks and further escalating retaliatory strikes that threaten to derail efforts to end the war.
Iran launched attacks on sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, which both sounded alerts and fired air defenses in response. Jordan also reported shooting down five missiles that Iran shot at an air base hosting U.S. forces.
Since the U.S. and Israel started the war with attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, the conflict has shaken the global economy, driven up energy prices around the world and made many basics, including food, more expensive.
Brent crude oil, the international standard, was at more than $91 a barrel Wednesday, up more than 25% since the start of the war.
Officials have been unable to turn the April cease-fire into a deal to permanently end the conflict, particularly as Israel intensifies and expands its military campaign in Lebanon against the Iran-backed armed group, Hezbollah.
