Middle East Tensions Rise

U.S. and Iran Trade Blows Over Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is a roughly 21-mile-wide channel between Iran and Oman. About 20% of the world's oil passes through it. Control of the strait gives Iran enormous leverage over global energy supplies. That is why it has become the central flashpoint in the current conflict, according to AP News.

U.S. Central Command confirmed it targeted Iranian "maritime capabilities" as part of the latest round of strikes. Iran responded by launching attacks from multiple neighboring countries. The back-and-forth marks one of the most intense escalations between the two nations in years.

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Iranian Officials Report Heavy Civilian Casualties From U.K. Strikes

Iranian officials said U.K. airstrikes have killed dozens and wounded hundreds of people, according to AP News. The claim has not been independently verified. The U.K.'s involvement adds a new dimension to the conflict, expanding the number of Western nations directly striking Iranian targets.

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Deadly Landslide in China Leaves 34 Missing

A landslide in China has killed at least eight people and left 34 others missing, AP News reported. Search and rescue teams are working to find survivors. Landslides are common in parts of China, especially during rainy seasons, though the full cause of this one has not yet been reported.

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Wildfire Smoke Chokes Great Lakes and Northeast States

Millions of people across the Great Lakes, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic states are breathing unhealthy air. The cause is wildfire smoke drifting south from Minnesota and Canada, according to AP News. Air quality alerts have been issued across a wide stretch of the eastern United States.

Separately, President Donald Trump has encouraged Darline Graham — the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham — to run for a full Senate term. Trump's support could give her a major boost in a potential Republican primary in South Carolina, AP News reported.

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