Escalation of hostilities at southern Iraq border crossings

The US military has conducted thirteen consecutive nights of airstrikes against IRGC targets, primarily in the Middle East, indicating a significant escalation in direct kinetic engagement. Concurrently, Houthi forces maintain a blockade of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, disrupting global maritime trade and reportedly conducting lethal strikes against Saudi-flagged vessels. Iranian state-affiliated media claims US missile strikes near the Strait of Hormuz and continuous US strikes on Iranian territory, though these claims lack independent verification.