DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: The US military launched new strikes against Iran early Wednesday, hours after three merchant ships were struck in the Strait of Hormuz, in the latest exchange of fire to threaten the interim deal to end the fighting between the two countries. The renewed attacks were sure to add to the difficulty of the negotiations aimed at fully reopening the strait, rolling back Tehran’s disputed nuclear program and reaching a permanent end to the war launched Feb. 28.

Two tankers struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, says United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre

The United States launched extensive strikes on Iran over attacks on ships in the vital Strait of Hormuz, triggering a wave of reprisals Wednesday that Iran's Guards said targeted…