Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to block Iran's attempts to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, calling the move 'desperation' amid surging oil prices. The U.S. is deploying 2,500 Marines to the Middle East as part of efforts to secure the critical shipping route that carries about a quarter of global oil exports. Hegseth said the U.S. has hit 6,000 targets in Iran since the war began.

Iran's retaliatory attacks on Gulf maritime traffic have caused the worst oil supply disruption in history, forcing the Trump administration to lift sanctions on Russian oil to stabilize global markets. The decision has created a rift among Western allies, with European leaders calling for sanctions to be reimposed on Moscow. Oil markets remain volatile as shippers avoid the strait due to attacks on vessels.

The conflict has escalated with Iran launching drones and missiles at Israel and other Middle Eastern countries. A U.S. aerial refueling tanker crashed in Iraq, killing all six crew members and raising the American death toll to at least 13. NATO intercepted an Iranian missile over Turkey, while attacks in northern Iraq and Oman killed foreign military personnel and civilians.