Iran-U.S. Strait of Hormuz Clashes, Senator Lindsey Graham Dies, and Other Developments

The U.S. and Iran have been trading direct military attacks this weekend as both countries fight for control of the Strait of Hormuz, with oil prices rising sharply amid the escalating conflict. The latest fighting began when Iran attacked a commercial vessel in the strait on Saturday. The U.S. responded with a series of strikes, including one early Monday, which were followed by Iranian attacks on several Middle Eastern nations. The battle over control of the strait has stalled movement toward ending the wider conflict.

Iran has pledged to open the strait according to the terms of its interim deal with Washington, but it has been firing on commercial vessels it says are using an unauthorized route. The U.S. military says its latest round of strikes has continued to degrade Iran's ability to attack international shipping, and it insists that traffic is still able to flow through the strait. The Trump administration needs that to happen to bring oil prices down ahead of midterm elections in November. Attempts by mediators to resolve the dispute over the weekend failed. Senior Iranian officials have said control of the strait is more important to Iran than dozens of atomic bombs.

Senator Lindsey Graham Dies at 84