Gulf States Hit by New Strikes as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates

The conflict between the United States and Iran has entered its third week, marked by fresh missile and drone attacks on Gulf states and a mounting death toll. Under 'Operation Epic Fury,' U.S. officials report 13 American service members killed, while fatalities in Iran have exceeded 1,300. President Donald Trump has called on international partners—including the U.K., France, China, and Japan—to deploy warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the U.S. 'will remember' nations that refuse to assist in reopening the vital waterway. The blockade of the Strait has created a burgeoning humanitarian and economic crisis, trapping thousands of cargo and tanker crew members and causing a sharp rise in global oil and gas prices. While the U.S. continues strikes on Iranian military sites like the Devol air base, Tehran has signaled deepening 'military cooperation' with strategic partners Russia and China. Domestically, the Trump administration faces intensifying criticism from Democratic opposition and media outlets regarding the long-term strategy of the military campaign. In a move to bolster its regional posture, the U.S. is deploying additional thousands of Marines and sailors, sparking speculation about potential ground operations targeting Iranian oil infrastructure. Meanwhile, Iraq has opened its airspace for U.S. medical and humanitarian flights even as its own bases face persistent drone strikes from Iranian-linked militias.