The United States launched a fresh round of strikes against Iran on Sunday (July 12), saying the attacks were aimed at degrading Tehran's ability to target civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The new strikes came after U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged heavy missile and drone attacks over the weekend, with Tehran targeting U.S. facilities across the Gulf and saying it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. The renewed violence casts further doubt on the future of an interim U.S.-Iranian agreement signed last month that aimed to reopen the strait and end the war after a further 60 days of negotiations.

Iran said Sunday it was closing the Strait of Hormuz and launched missiles and drones at Gulf neighbours after the US carried out a new round of strikes as their conflict…

The sustained escalation in fighting comes nearly a month after the two sides inked a draft peace deal that prolonged a ceasefire and began 60 days of negotiations.

Renewed strikes deepen fears over oil supplies and regional stability