US-Iran Strikes Enter Night 11; Tankers Ablaze, Brent at $92.44

U.S. CENTCOM conducted strikes on Iranian targets for the eleventh consecutive night, with the latest sorties targeting southern coastal cities and triggering air defense activations in Tehran and Tabriz. Iran retaliated by targeting U.S. assets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, where the Pentagon has now identified a third American soldier killed — Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28. Two tankers were struck in the Strait of Hormuz as Houthi forces simultaneously threatened a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia. Brent crude climbed to $92.44 (+1.57%) at Asian open, with WTI at $85.51 (+1.39%), both at five-week highs. Secretary of State Rubio stated the U.S. does not believe Iran is serious about negotiations, while Trump alleged Iran is attempting to influence U.S. midterm elections through the Hormuz attacks.