The United States launched airstrikes against Iran on Tuesday evening, targeting military installations in response to a series of attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the operation, saying the strikes aimed to impose 'heavy costs' on Iran's military capabilities. The move marks a significant escalation in the conflict, with Iran warning that it will 'take decisive measures' in response. The strikes come after a series of mysterious attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz over the past week, which have been attributed to Iran by the US. The UK has also accused Iran of being responsible for the attacks, while Iran has denied any involvement. The tensions between the US and Iran have been building for months, with the US imposing sanctions on Iran's oil exports and Iran's president, Hassan Rouhani, warning of a 'hard war' against the US. Iran has also been involved in a proxy conflict with Saudi Arabia in Yemen, where a group backed by Iran, the Houthi rebels, have been fighting the Saudi-backed government. The escalation of the conflict raises concerns about the potential for wider conflict in the region. Iran's top diplomat, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said on Wednesday morning that the US will 'face consequences' for its actions, while US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, said the US is 'fully committed' to protecting its interests in the region. The US has a large military presence in the region, including several bases in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The UK and other Western countries have been warning about the risks of a conflict in the region, with the UK's Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, saying on Tuesday that 'we urge restraint on all sides'. The situation in the region remains volatile, with multiple countries and groups involved in various conflicts. The escalation of the US-Iran conflict marks a significant turning point, with the region on high alert. On Wednesday morning, the price of oil climbed to its highest level in over a year, a sign of the heightened tensions in the region. The US and its allies have called for calm, but the situation remains uncertain. On Tuesday night, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani addressed his nation on state TV, saying that the US will 'face consequences' for its actions. He added that the US will 'regret' its decision to launch airstrikes, and that Iran will not back down. The UK and other Western countries have called for international efforts to de-escalate the conflict, and the meeting of the UN Security Council on Wednesday is set to discuss the situation in the Middle East. The situation in the region remains volatile, with multiple countries and groups involved in various conflicts. The US has said it is 'fully committed' to protecting its interests in the region, while Iran has vowed to 'take decisive measures' in response