This week saw a significant escalation in US-Iran tensions, with both countries trading accusations of violating an ongoing ceasefire. The United States and Iran exchanged strikes, marking the most serious flare-up since the truce began in April.
The violence also intensified on the Lebanese front, where Israel declared large parts of southern Lebanon a combat zone and increased air strikes, including attacks near Beirut.
The US and Iran exchanged strikes on Thursday, with the American forces striking Iran for the second time in a week, claiming the strike was done in self-defense after observing aggressive activity from the Iranian forces.
The US shot down four Iranian drones and attacked a base from where a fifth drone was about to be launched, according to US officials. The Iranian drones posed a threat to the Strait of Hormuz, a key trade waterway.
The US imposed new sanctions on Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a body formed to control shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, after the US strike on Iran on Wednesday night.
