U.S.-Iran tensions intensify as Pakistan seeks to revive ceasefire talks

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated further over the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, while Pakistan worked to revive a collapsed interim ceasefire deal.

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni visited Pakistan, which has been trying to mediate the conflict and restart diplomacy. But it remained unclear what new arrangement could end the war, which has increasingly become a struggle for control of the Strait of Hormuz, a route vital to global energy supplies.

U.S. President Donald Trump said there was "no interest in meeting" with Iranian officials and suggested U.S. forces could soon target an area near one of Iran's main uranium enrichment sites.

With negotiations and shipping through the strait largely stalled, both sides have targeted civilian infrastructure in the region, raising global energy prices and adding pressure to already fragile markets.

The U.S. military's Central Command said its forces continued airstrikes on Iran and targeted military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems. Iran, meanwhile, attacked a tanker in the strait, forcing the crew to abandon the ship, and continued strikes against U.S. allies in the region.

Sirens sounded in Bahrain and Kuwait as residents were warned of incoming projectiles. The escalation pushed crude oil above $91 a barrel and raised average U.S. gasoline prices to $4 a gallon.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen opened a new front in the Red Sea by declaring a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia, threatening global oil supplies and trade. The Houthis said several ships were forced to reroute after warnings, although the claim could not be independently confirmed.

Pakistan's political leadership and army chief Asim Munir played a role in brokering last month's interim agreement, and Islamabad has been trying to persuade both sides to return to talks. Momeni later met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who expressed deep concern and urged restraint.

Iran's military said any attack on nuclear or other sensitive facilities would be considered a major escalation. It warned that such an attack would widen the war across the region and make U.S. interests and those of its allies targets.

The U.S. said Iran was responsible for attacks on ships in the strait, and British maritime authorities reported a tanker attack off Oman that forced its crew to abandon the vessel. U.S. forces said they had redirected commercial vessels and disabled one to enforce the blockade.

Iran also struck U.S.-allied countries across the Middle East, including Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq and Kuwait. Jordan said drones and missiles were shot down, Bahrain activated missile alerts, and Kuwait reported attacks on desalination and power plants that caused fires and damage.

The United Nations said attacks on civilian infrastructure were unacceptable and violated international law.