Meanwhile, Iran carried out missile strikes in eastern Syria on Friday, marking its first known attack on Syrian territory since the regional conflict escalated earlier this year, according to Iranian state media and a Syrian military source. Iran has also carried out strikes in Jordan, where it targeted US jets and in Kuwait where it hit a power and desalination plant.

Meanwhile, the US military carried out a sixth consecutive night of air strikes against Iran on Thursday, with Iranian state media reporting explosions across the country’s south, including Bandar Abbas, Ahvaz, and Qeshm Island. Tehran warned that continued American pressure would bring devastating retaliation, even as US and Iranian forces kept trading fire over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Blockade underway: The US struck an empty oil tanker headed for Kharg Island, a critical economic lifeline for Tehran, as part of its renewed naval blockade on Iranian ports. With maritime traffic in the region drying up, oil markets are once again feeling the strain.

Latest developments:

• Sixth night of strikes: US forces launched another wave of air strikes overnight, hitting a bridge near Bandar-e Khamir and roughly ten targets on Qeshm Island, plus sites in Bushehr and Ahvaz.
• Blockade tightens: CENTCOM redirected three commercial vessels, disabled one non-compliant ship, and boarded another in the Gulf of Oman as part of its naval blockade on Iranian ports.
• Casualties in Bandar Abbas: Iranian media reported two dead and eight wounded after strikes hit a bridge and a residential area, and said a nearby cancer hospital had to evacuate over 200 patients.
• Vance blames Israel: Vice President JD Vance accused Israel of funding efforts to derail US-Iran talks, while Iran said the Strait of Hormuz situation would never return to normal.
• No talks in sight: Trump claimed Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has lost up to 90% of its weapons capability, and sources say he’s weighing a wider military campaign.

Follow The Indian Express Global Desk live coverage for the latest updates from West Asia and the US.