Key facts
- The US military launched new strikes against Iran amid escalating tensions.
- Iran condemned the attacks, stating they undermined diplomatic efforts and disrupted shipping.
- Iran claimed passage through the Strait of Hormuz was impossible due to recent US military movements.
- The US asserted its forces were safeguarding freedom of navigation and an expanded southern route was available.
- Iran responded to the strikes by attacking regional countries hosting US military forces.
- Jordan reported shooting down four Iranian missiles, and Kuwait's military responded to hostile aerial targets.
The United States military has conducted a new series of attacks against Iran, escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's foreign ministry condemned the strikes, stating they had "rendered futile all efforts of the past few months to reduce tension and establish peace in the west Asian region" and caused "the return of insecurity in the strait of Hormuz and disruption of international commercial shipping." Donald Trump commented that "We’re beating them up" as oil prices surged.
Iran had previously stated on Sunday that passage through the Strait of Hormuz was not possible due to what it described as recent illegal US military movements. The US, however, maintained that its forces were positioned to safeguard freedom of navigation and reiterated guidance that an "expanded" southern route near the Oman coastline remained available for two-way traffic, despite a severe security threat.
In response to the US strikes, Iran reportedly attacked countries in the region that host US military forces. Jordan's army announced it had shot down four Iranian missiles, while Kuwait's military reported responding to "hostile aerial targets" on Monday as Iran carried out strikes on US interests in the Gulf.
In separate news, US Senator Lindsey Graham, a key ally of Donald Trump, has died at the age of 71. Graham, who had served in the Senate since 2003, was running for re-election. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will appoint a successor to serve the remainder of Graham's term. Versatile New Zealand actor Sam Neill, known for his roles in "The Piano" and "Jurassic Park," has also died at the age of 78. Neill had recently announced he was cancer-free after being diagnosed with a type of blood cancer in 2022.
Other news includes US congressman Ro Khanna stating that Israel's IDF is lying about his detention by settlers and soldiers, Senator Mitch McConnell revealing a fall led to his hospitalization, the Guggenheim Museum testing positive for Legionnaires' disease, flash flooding in Missouri resulting in one death and the rescue of 200 campers, and Martha Lillard, the last known US polio survivor using an iron lung, dying at 78.
In sports, Conor McGregor's UFC return ended after 69 seconds due to a knee injury. In Minneapolis, protesters are being charged with conspiracy by the Trump administration's Department of Justice for opposing an ICE crackdown. The article also touches on life among garbage mountains in Jakarta, the use of generative AI in music, and concerns over carbon storage projects in rural Indiana.