Three Ships Struck Near Strait of Hormuz

Three ships were struck by unknown projectiles near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, the 12th day of an ongoing conflict, leading to a halt in ship traffic through the vital waterway. This incident occurred after U.S. President Trump indicated an intensification of bombardment if Iran continued to impede shipments. Concurrently, Iranian drones struck near Dubai International Airport, as Tehran vowed to escalate attacks across the Middle East.

In related developments, Iranian officials confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei, the newly appointed supreme leader, sustained injuries in the airstrikes that killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28. Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since his appointment.

The Pentagon reported 140 U.S. troops wounded, with eight severely injured, and seven U.S.

service members deceased in the conflict. The death toll includes at least 1,230 in Iran, nearly 400 in Lebanon, and 12 in Israel since February 28.

The conflict has impacted global energy markets, with the average U.S. gasoline price rising to $3.58 per gallon from approximately $2.90 before the strikes. Crude oil prices, which neared $120 per barrel, are now trading around $87 per barrel. In response, International Energy Agency member countries announced the release of 400 million barrels of oil, the largest emergency stock release in its history.