The United States has expanded its military actions against Iran, targeting regions further north, including strikes into a maritime vessel accused of breaching its naval blockade. On Thursday, Iran retaliated, firing missiles and drones at Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait, with potential for further escalation.

Recent exchanges of military actions between the U.S. and Iran have disrupted interim peace efforts and risk reigniting regional conflict. Iranian officials reported more than 35 deaths and over 300 injured owing to the latest U.S. strikes. For the first time, attacks reached areas around Tehran, showcasing an expanded list of targets.

This conflict began on February 28 when the U.S. and Israel initiated actions against Iran, leading Tehran to block the Strait of Hormuz. This blockade has raised the prices of oil and other goods, providing Iran with a negotiating advantage. Iranian military spokesperson, Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, warned that any further U.S. threats would lead to the destruction of regional infrastructure by Iran’s armed forces.

The blockage of the Strait of Hormuz complicates matters for President Donald Trump and his administration as they seek to maintain control of Congress. Efforts to reopen the strait have yet to succeed, leading to the reimplementation of a naval blockade by the U.S.

President Trump expressed his belief that Iran is interested in a peace agreement but offered no specific details. Additionally, he announced the release of Dena Karari, a U.S.-Iranian citizen detained in Iran on espionage charges, though Iran has not acknowledged this release.

Iranian state media reported U.S. attacks on Tehran and Semnan province, a site of Iran’s missile production and space program. Other regions like Hamedan and Khuzestan were also targeted.

The U.S. military targeted an oil tanker near Kharg Island, Iran’s key oil terminal, after multiple warnings went unheeded. Another U.S. strike hit Iran’s 388th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, causing casualties among conscripts and soldiers.

The U.S. confronts Iran in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil supplies. Iran’s control of the strait since the conflict began presents a significant challenge for the U.S., which seeks to reopen it through military intervention if necessary.

Oil prices have surged amid the conflict, with Brent crude surpassing $85 per barrel, marking a significant increase since the start of hostilities, though still below previous peaks during intense conflict periods.