Christine Lagarde: "are designed to further degrade Iranian military capabilities used to attack…"

The US military announced its tenth consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran late Monday, aiming to break Tehran’s chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments. US Central Command explained that these latest operations specifically target Iranian equipment and positions that threaten merchant vessels, according to a social media post. The renewed bombing campaign follows the death of an American service member and Iranian attacks on US allies Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain. Meanwhile, a fragile ceasefire signed last month has collapsed, shipping through the strait remains largely paralyzed, and oil prices have climbed—Brent crude topped $88 a barrel and US gasoline averaged four dollars per gallon. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen also announced plans to block Saudi shipments in the Red Sea, adding pressure on energy markets. Pakistan is hosting Iran’s interior minister for talks, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remains open to genuine negotiations.