The United States expanded its aerial offensive against Iran on Monday, striking sites including a city that hosts a nuclear power plant, as Iran retaliated against Bahrain and Kuwait and oil prices climbed above $90 a barrel.
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Key facts
- The US military confirmed a third service member killed in the current round of fighting.
- Oil prices passed $90 a barrel, deepening an energy crisis.
- US strikes hit areas around Tabriz and Bushehr, home to Iran's only operational civilian nuclear power plant.
- Iran responded with strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait.
- Diplomats insisted talks between the sides were ongoing, according to the Guardian.
The United States expanded its aerial offensive against Iran on Monday, according to the Guardian, striking a city that hosts a nuclear power plant as the wider Middle East crisis deepened. The escalation came even as diplomats insisted that talks between the parties were still ongoing.
The US military said it had struck a range of targets, including “military command centers, air defence and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and communications networks,” the Guardian reported.
Iranian media reported strikes around Tabriz, which is believed to hold underground missile bases, as well as around Bushehr, home to the country’s only operational civilian nuclear power plant. Iran responded with strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait, according to the report.
The US military confirmed that a third service member had been killed in the current round of fighting, marking a further human cost as the conflict intensified.
The fighting has rattled energy markets, with the price of oil passing $90 a barrel and deepening what the Guardian described as an energy crisis.
Despite the widening military campaign and cross-border strikes, diplomats maintained that negotiations had not collapsed, insisting talks were continuing even as the offensive expanded.
Why it matters
An expanding conflict between the US and Iran risks drawing in neighbouring states such as Bahrain and Kuwait, which have already been struck. With oil prices above $90 a barrel and casualties mounting, the consequences of the fighting extend well beyond the region.
Frequently asked questions
How many US service members have been killed?
The US military confirmed a third service member killed in the current round of fighting, according to the Guardian.
What targets did the US strike?
The US military said it struck military command centers, air defence and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and communications networks, including areas around Tabriz and Bushehr.
How have oil markets reacted?
The price of oil passed $90 a barrel, deepening an energy crisis, according to the Guardian.
Timeline
- US expands Iran offensive as diplomats claim talks ongoing
The Guardian World: US military confirms third service member killed in current round of fighting as price of oil passes $90 a barrel, deepening energy crisis Middle East crisis live: follow latest updates The US expanded its aerial offensive against Iran on Monday, hitting a city hosting a nuclear