US strikes on Iran expand as Tehran lashes out
This U.S. Marine Corps handout photograph taken on July 16, 2026, by U.S. Central Command Public Affairs reportedly shows an Iranian flag flying behind a U.S. Marine from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit during a verification boarding aboard M/T Wen Yao in the Gulf of Oman.
The United States carried out a ninth consecutive night of airstrikes on Iran early on July 20 after announcing the death of another American service member, while Tehran retaliated against Bahrain and Kuwait and claimed an attack in Syria.
The renewed exchanges marked another escalation in the conflict as a June interim agreement intended to lead to a permanent settlement continued to unravel.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has largely stalled, while both sides have targeted civilian infrastructure used by millions of people.
