Washington: Tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate as the U.S. military launched its 13th consecutive night of airstrikes against military targets in Iran, aiming to destroy command centers, drone depots, and communications networks in the Strait of Hormuz to reduce threats to commercial shipping lanes.

According to Thai News Agency, the latest wave of attacks comes after the Houthi group in Yemen, an Iranian ally, used missiles and drones to strike two Saudi Arabian oil tankers, the N'Cilia and the Laila, in the Red Sea, resulting in fires at the bows and doubling maritime insurance costs in the area.

Following the Houthi attack on an oil tanker in the Red Sea, President Donald Trump warned that any further incidents would be Iran's responsibility, vowing severe military sanctions, arguing that Iran had not yet suffered enough. He also threatened to use Iranian assets frozen in the United States to compensate for the damage to the cargo ship.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded via the X platform, warning that seizing assets from other countries to pay compensation sets a dangerous precedent. He stated that accepting such seizures would leave no one's assets safe and lead to chaos.

News reports indicate that Iran sent high-ranking officials and missile equipment to Yemen before the Houthi rebels announced a blockade of shipping lanes in the Red Sea to restrict Saudi Arabia's oil shipments. Iran retaliated against the US attacks by firing missiles at US bases and weapons systems in Jordan and Kuwait, vowing to retaliate as long as the US continues to undermine Iran's infrastructure.

The widespread crisis affecting key oil shipping routes has caused global crude oil prices to surge rapidly. Brent crude jumped more than 6%, surpassing $100 per barrel for the first time since May, while West Texas Intermediate crude reached $92.19 per barrel.