The U.S. military launched a series of strikes against Iranian targets on Tuesday, escalating tensions in a conflict that has persisted for over six months. The strikes, which targeted air defense sites, radar systems, and maritime assets, were followed by retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Iran. The escalation has raised concerns about regional stability and global oil prices.

The latest round of hostilities began with U.S. Central Command announcing the completion of its strikes on Iranian military targets. The strikes were in response to what the U.S. described as Iranian aggression against commercial ships and American forces in the Middle East. President Donald Trump, in a social media post, expressed his stance on the situation, stating that he would not force Iran to the bargaining table.

U.S. Strikes and Iranian Retaliation

The U.S. strikes followed a month without military action and threatened to fully reignite a conflict that has already spiked global oil prices. President Trump warned that if Iran retaliated for the new strikes, “they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level.” The U.S. Central Command explained that the latest attacks were in response to Tehran’s attempts to hit commercial ships and American forces in the region.

In response to the U.S. attacks, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Jordan. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard claimed to have targeted a U.S. base along Jordan’s Gulf of Aqaba coast. Jordan’s military reported that it shot down 10 of the missiles, with the remaining three landing in unpopulated areas. Explosions that appeared to be interceptions of incoming air attacks were seen over Aqaba.

Civilian Casualties and Retaliatory Threats

Iranian state media reported that a U.S. strike hit a home where a wedding ceremony was being held in Kuhestak, southern Iran, killing five people, including a child, and wounding at least 68 others. Ebrahim Azizi, chairperson of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, vowed that “these crimes will not go unpunished.” The U.S. Central Command acknowledged reports of civilian casualties but noted that they originated from Iranian state media.

The Kuwaiti Army reported intercepting drone attacks following the Iranian aggression. Iran also claimed to have launched a drone attack at U.S. forces in Bahrain, but Bahrain reported that all attacks had been intercepted. Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff warned of “crushing and devastating blows” against the United States, stating that the attacks had strengthened Iran’s resolve and tightened its effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Impact on Global Oil Prices

The renewed clashes between Iran and the United States have had a significant impact on global oil prices. Crude oil prices, already up about 7% this week, continued to rise following the strikes on Tuesday. The price of crude has jumped more than 50% this year, dragging the cost of gasoline upward with it. The cost for a gallon of regular gasoline in the U.S. ticked higher again overnight to $4.10, compared to $3.19 last year at this time.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway off Iran’s coast, is a vital oil shipping corridor. Tehran effectively closed it after the war began, seeking control over the strategic waterway. The U.S. and Iran are both seeking control over the Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial for global oil supplies.

Before the latest strikes, the Trump administration had argued that hitting the right economic target in a campaign of financial isolation would get Tehran to its breaking point. However, the renewed strikes come as U.S. stockpiles of advanced interceptors have been diminishing, and the war has been unpopular among many Americans. A return to open conflict would be dangerous for the region, where Iran has targeted U.S. military bases and infrastructure in Gulf countries since the war began.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said earlier on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic is ready to return to the interim ceasefire deal reached with the U.S. in June if Washington does the same. The June interim deal called for an immediate ceasefire and started a 60-day period for negotiations aimed at reaching a wider agreement, but it crumbled soon afterward.