The US-Iran conflict has escalated, with a third US service member killed in northern Iraq. The conflict has also impacted global oil prices, with Brent crude rising above $90 a barrel. The conflict has also led to a wave of attacks on vessels and energy facilities in the Gulf, with Iran claiming to have targeted two non-compliant tankers. The conflict has also raised concerns about a wider war, with the US and Iran trading air and missile strikes for the ninth straight night. The US has expanded its targets beyond Iranian coastal sites, and Iran has expanded its target list across seven countries in the region. The conflict is at an inflection point, with analysts questioning the likelihood of mediation and negotiation. The US military has struck a range of Iranian military targets, with explosions reported across Iran, including in coastal port cities and the northwestern city of Tabriz. The conflict has also impacted global energy prices, with oil prices rising sharply since the US and Iran resumed fighting over a week ago. The US has reimposed its naval blockade of Iranian ports, and some ships have used alternative routes, including along the Omani coastline. The conflict has also raised concerns about the impact on global oil supply, with the Strait of Hormuz being a key route for 20% of the world's oil supply. The US has also accused Iran of attacking a nuclear facility in southern Iran, with the US not confirming the attack and the United Nations' nuclear watchdog investigating. The conflict has also impacted the Middle East, with desalination plants targeted in Kuwait and Oman, which are vital for providing drinking water to the region. The conflict has also raised concerns about the impact on global oil prices and the global economy, with the US and Iran trading tit-for-tat strikes for more than a week. The US has also threatened to broaden the war unless Iran stops attacking ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has also impacted the global economy, with gas prices rising and the US national average remaining a tick below $4 a gallon. The US has also expressed openness to diplomacy with Tehran, with the US Secretary of State saying that Washington is open to diplomacy if the door opens.
