The United States initiated another round of airstrikes early Monday, targeting Iran following the death of an American service member. Iran responded with attacks against Bahrain and Kuwait, escalating tensions further. This conflict highlights the failing interim deal aimed at ending hostilities, while crippling shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and disrupting global energy markets. On Monday, Brent crude prices rose above $90 a barrel, exacerbating the energy crisis caused by the conflict.

The U.S. military confirmed the death of a service member in Iraq on Saturday due to a controlled detonation of a downed Iranian drone. U.S. President Donald Trump stated, “We hit them very hard again tonight,” referring to the strikes as a tribute to the fallen soldiers. The airstrikes, now entering their ninth consecutive night, have targeted Iranian military infrastructure, including command centers, air defenses, and missile sites.

There have been no immediate reports from Iran on casualties or damage due to these recent attacks. Meanwhile, Iranian state media have reported explosions in southern and northwestern regions. Amid the strikes, a ship caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz near Oman’s coast, a route the U.S. has promoted to avoid Iranian control. Later, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for targeting tankers in the strait.

Tehran has launched retaliatory strikes against U.S. allies in the Middle East. Bahrain sounded missile alerts, and Kuwait responded to incoming Iranian missiles with air defenses. The U.S. government, under Trump’s leadership, has threatened to target Iran’s infrastructure, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, which previously facilitated one-fifth of global oil trade.

Over the past week, the U.S. reinstated a naval blockade on Iranian ports to stop crude oil shipments, resulting in six redirected ships and one disabled vessel. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the possibility of diplomatic negotiations with Iran but emphasized the need for earnest dialogue, stating, “We’re going to continue to respond. If the door opens to diplomacy, it would be a positive development.”

Iran has reported at least 50 fatalities and 517 injuries from the recent U.S. strikes. Since the onset of hostilities on February 28, 17 U.S. service members have died.

Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in Washington contributed to this report.