Tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East as strikes intensify

Tensions continue to rise in the Middle East as military actions escalate in Iran

and other parts of the region.

The US military ends its latest round of airstrikes targeting

infrastructure in Iran, while it continues

to redirect commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

For six straight nights, the US has been attacking Iran,

hitting not only ballistic missile production

and the space programme in Tehran and Semnan province,

but also towns and infrastructure

concentrated with civilians.

The US military hit dozens of targets including bridges

in Iran's southern Hormozgan province,

killing at least seven people, Iranian state television reports.

Also taking a hit is Bandar Khamir, a city on Iran's coast

on the Strait of Hormuz where tensions

mount over the latest rounds of blockades

that US is imposing on vessels attempting to cross.

On Thursday, US Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit

conducted a verification boarding

of the M/T Wen Yao in the Gulf of Oman.

This, as part of the American forces' effort to redirect

commercial vessels attempting to

breach the blockade. It has earlier blocked three vessels,

disabled one that did not comply,

and boarded another to ensure full adherence

to the ongoing blockade.

Meanwhile, following an exchange of attacks at

Yemen's international airport earlier this month,

the leader of Iran-backed Houthi rebels based

in the country says his group is ready

to escalate its conflict with Saudi Arabia if it expands its attacks.

In Lebanon, soldiers were deployed

south of the country following talks

with Israel Wednesday held to implement

a framework agreement aimed

at its government assuming

full sovereignty and Hezbollah and Israeli troops

withdrawing their presence.

The town of Froun, though it hasn't been occupied by Israel, is in shambles and

now is considered one of several pilot zones mentioned in the

Washington-brokered talks.

Hezbollah has rejects the agreement and says Beirut does not have the

leverage to ensure Israel does withdraw