After a brief respite, the risk of a return to all-out war emerged once more, with the fighting threatening to engulf even more countries.

Iran has suspended retaliatory attacks during a pause in U.S. strikes, but both sides continue to warn that the conflict could quickly escalate despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The United States and Iran each fired barrages of missiles Thursday, as the pattern of back-and-forth strikes took hold again and hope dimmed for any quick resolution.