President Trump ordered a new round of U.S. airstrikes against Iran as the two nations move closer to all-out war.

The administration announced a new round of airstrikes against Iran on Monday, marking the ninth consecutive night of military action. These strikes targeted Iranian military command centers, air defense systems, and missile launch sites to degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping. President Trump said the strikes were conducted in honor of an American service member killed in Iraq during a controlled detonation of a downed Iranian drone. The escalation has significantly impacted global energy markets, pushing benchmark Brent crude above $86 a barrel and raising U.S. gasoline prices to an average of $4 a gallon. Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has largely stalled as Iran retaliates by hitting U.S.-allied countries like Bahrain and Kuwait. While the U.S. remains open to diplomacy, the administration is currently using a naval blockade and targeted strikes to compel Tehran to loosen its hold on the vital waterway. Commercial tankers continue to navigate the region, with some owners offering substantial bonuses to crews willing to risk the ongoing conflict.

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