Iran reports 11 dead in US strikes as tit-for-tat attacks escalate across region
Iranian state media said US missile attacks killed 11 people, including four at a wedding in the south, after fresh strikes on Khuzestan province. The escalation follows US strikes on an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Tehran to fire missiles at American interests in several countries. Oil prices surged over 2% and Peru cut diplomatic ties with Iran, citing Tehran's role in escalating Middle East conflicts.
The latest casualties bring Iran's reported death toll from the renewed US campaign to 11, with the deadliest incident striking a wedding gathering in Sirik county where a child was among those killed. The Khuzestan strikes wounded eight more people, according to Iranian state media. These attacks follow Washington's targeting of an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments.
The escalation has rippled through international markets, with crude prices jumping roughly 10 percent this week and stocks falling as investors brace for prolonged instability. Peru's decision to sever diplomatic relations with Iran adds diplomatic isolation to Tehran's military pressures. Separately, Israeli forces captured a senior Hamas security official in Gaza City, underscoring how the broader regional conflict continues to intersect with multiple fronts.
This escalation could significantly disrupt global energy markets and supply chains, affecting consumers worldwide through higher fuel and goods prices. Regional populations may face heightened insecurity as tit-for-tat strikes continue, while diplomatic ruptures like Peru's could further isolate Iran economically. Investors may see prolonged volatility, and the failure of peace talks suggests sustained tension that could reshape alliances and trade relationships across the Middle East and beyond.