The United States and Iran engaged in a renewed cycle of military strikes following tensions over attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.US President Donald Trump ordered retaliatory strikes against Iran, citing the need to protect freedom of navigation in the strategically vital waterway.Iran responded with its own attacks on US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain.The conflict, which began in late February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran's supreme leader, has led to significant regional instability.Oil prices surged by 8% after Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran was over.

Both nations claimed to have hit dozens of targets in their respective strikes, with the US targeting Iranian air-defence systems and Iran retaliating with ballistic missiles and drones.

The situation has raised concerns about potential escalation, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint.Meanwhile, maritime traffic remains disrupted, leaving thousands of seafarers stranded in the region.