US forces carried out new military strikes against Iran on Saturday, escalating a conflict that has already shut the Strait of Hormuz and sent oil prices soaring. Tehran responded by warning of a 'full-scale war' across the Middle East.
What the strikes hit
The Pentagon did not immediately detail the targets of the latest operation. But the strikes come days after a series of US airstrikes on Iranian-linked positions in Syria and Iraq. Saturday's action marks a significant step up in direct confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Tehran's warning
Iranian officials said the country would not back down. They threatened a 'full-scale war' if the US continued its attacks. The phrase signals a readiness to expand the conflict beyond the current proxy battles and into direct military engagement. No further details on Iran's potential response were provided.
Oil and energy markets react
Oil and energy prices surged immediately after news of the strikes broke. The Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes, remained blocked. That chokepoint has been effectively closed for days, squeezing global supply and driving up costs for consumers and industries alike.
What comes next
The Strait of Hormuz remains shut. No timeline for its reopening has been given. With both sides trading threats and fire, the region is bracing for what could come next. The US has not said whether more strikes are planned. Iran has not specified what a 'full-scale war' would look like. Those questions hang unanswered.
