Here's a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday, including renewed US strikes in Iran, Iran announcing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels amid renewed US attacks, and President Donald Trump saying the US will continue "hard" strikes against Iran in retaliation for the downing of an American Apache helicopter.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it launched "additional self-defense strikes" against multiple targets in Iran at the direction of President Donald Trump.
"CENTCOM forces launched strikes on Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense sites across Iran. U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy assets fired precision munitions on Iranian targets that posed a threat to U.S. forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters," it said in a statement.
"The strikes are in response to Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression. U.S. forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready," it added.
The strikes followed Iran's downing earlier this week of a US Army Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s military headquarters announced the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels amid escalating tensions and hostilities in the region.
In a statement carried by Iranian state TV, the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters said the strategic waterway had been closed to all traffic, including oil tankers and commercial ships, due to what it described as insecurity in the region.
It warned that “any movement” through the strait would be targeted.
The statement said the decision came following continued “American aggression” and recent US attacks on areas in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province.
President Donald Trump said the US would continue "hard" strikes against Iran after the military carried out attacks on Iranian targets in retaliation for the downing of an attack helicopter above the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said American forces "hit them hard yesterday, and we're going to hit them again hard today," signaling indifference to the ramifications of further attacks on negotiations to formally end the US-Israeli war against Iran.
"We're going to be attacking them, attacking them very hard. Yeah, well, we are, based on the helicopter. I guess we have the right to do that, you know. They shot down a very, very incredible, actually an incredible machine," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, alluding to Monday's downing of an American Apache helicopter.
Oil prices were mixed as markets weighed renewed supply concerns following fresh US strikes against Iran.
International benchmark Brent crude traded at $91.46 per barrel at 10.06 a.m. local time (0706 GMT), up around 0.01% from the previous close of $91.45.
US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose about 0.01% to $88.19 per barrel.
Prices had slipped around 3% in the previous session, touching a seven-week low on emerging diplomatic signals. However, supply concerns resurfaced after the US launched new strikes against Iran over the downing of an American helicopter, casting doubt on a fragile ceasefire.
The annual inflation rate in the US hit its highest rate since April 2023, reaching 4.2% in May, official figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed.
The country saw the third consecutive increase in annual inflation, while the rate was up from 3.8% in April 2026.
Among sub-indexes, energy posted the highest increase with a 23.5% hike, while food inflation was at 3.1%.
The monthly inflation rate was at 0.5% in the country in May, down from 0.6%.
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