U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates with Second Night of Direct Strikes

The conflict between the United States and Iran has moved into a phase of sustained offensive operations following a second consecutive night of direct military engagements. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted airstrikes on approximately 90 targets across Iran, including port facilities, missile launchers, and airport runways in cities such as Bushehr and Bandar Abbas. One fatality has been reported in Iranshahr. In response, Iran launched a series of ballistic missiles and drones toward Kuwait and Bahrain. While most were intercepted, debris caused material damage and at least one injury in Kuwait. President Trump, currently attending a NATO summit in Turkey, officially declared the fragile 2026 ceasefire terminated. He cited Iranian attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz as the primary provocation, though he simultaneously claimed that Tehran is eager to negotiate a new deal. Domestically, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf condemned the U.S. actions as major violations of previous memorandums, pointing to the reinstatement of oil sanctions as a catalyst for the current breakdown in relations. The military escalation has triggered immediate economic volatility, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices jumping more than 6% in a single day. The threat to the Strait of Hormuz, which handles 20% of the world's traded oil, remains a primary concern for global energy markets. Security protocols were also heightened for the U.S. delegation in Ankara; President Trump reportedly departed the summit using an older Air Force One aircraft due to specific security threats identified by intelligence agencies.