The United States has expanded the scale of its retaliatory airstrikes against Iran following an increase in American troop casualties, continuing its offensive for the ninth consecutive day.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that it "began new airstrikes against Iran for the ninth straight day, starting at 7:00 PM Eastern Time on the 19th (2:30 AM on the 20th, Iran time)."

"These strikes are intended to continue degrading Iran's military capabilities used to attack merchant vessels and civilian crews transiting the Strait of Hormuz," the command added.

The U.S. airstrikes on this day lasted for three hours.

After the operation, CENTCOM explained, "We struck Iranian military command posts, broadcasting and coastal surveillance facilities, naval assets, missile and drone launch facilities, and communication networks. CENTCOM remains focused on the mission while maintaining a high state of readiness."

Around the time of the CENTCOM announcement, Iranian media reported that "explosions were heard in Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr, and Bandar Imam Khomeini."

In response to the U.S. strikes, Iran has resumed attacks against countries in the Gulf region.

Following the conclusion of the U.S. strikes, the Kuwaiti military stated in a post on X that "Kuwait's air defense network is responding to hostile Iranian drone attacks," adding, "If residents hear explosions, it is the result of the air defense system intercepting enemy attacks."

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also claimed in a statement that it had attacked U.S. targets within Kuwait, destroying a U.S. early warning radar system and an MQ-9 drone hangar.

The IRGC further claimed to have launched a ballistic missile attack against U.S. aircraft at Aqaba Airport in southern Jordan.

The Aqaba region, which borders the Red Sea, is considered geopolitically sensitive due to its proximity to Israel.

Iran's state-run Press TV reported that Iranian forces shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone in western Iran on the 19th, and the IRGC Aerospace Force also claimed to have used advanced air defense systems to down an MQ-9 Reaper drone over Ahvaz in southwestern Iran.

As the conflict intensifies in a cycle of retaliation and counter-retaliation, some observers suggest that a return to full-scale war is imminent.

In fact, an official from the Trump administration told The Washington Post (WP) that "the U.S. is preparing for a larger war" and is increasing the deployment of military aircraft to the Middle East.

The New York Times (NYT) also reported, citing anonymous officials, that British and German F-35 and F-16 fighter jets are being forward-deployed to Israel.

The U.S. and Israel launched the war against Iran on February 28. Although they entered a ceasefire in early April and even signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in mid-June to pursue peace negotiations, the truce effectively collapsed in early July.

The current situation appears to have effectively reverted to the state before the MOU.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) noted that President Trump's "restraint is being tested," predicting that it "could trigger a cycle of escalation."

The Associated Press (AP) observed that the U.S. and Iran are "crossing each other's red lines."

Previously, U.S. Central Command announced that one U.S. soldier had died in Iraq and that unidentified remains had been discovered in Jordan.

Since the U.S. launched the war against Iran on February 28, the number of officially confirmed U.S. military deaths has risen to 17.

If the remains currently undergoing identification are confirmed to be those of a missing person, the cumulative death toll for U.S. troops could rise to 18.

Iranian authorities stated that at least 50 people have been killed and 517 injured in recent U.S. airstrikes.

This figure excludes the large-scale civilian casualties from the early stages of the war.

While it is true that the number of Iranian casualties is significantly higher, the increase in U.S. military losses has raised the possibility of an expanded front.

International oil prices continue to surge due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

According to Reuters and other sources, the price of Brent crude futures for September delivery, the global benchmark, surged 3.12% from the previous trading day to trade at $90.85 per barrel around 6:00 PM Eastern Time.

This is the first time Brent crude prices have exceeded $90 per barrel since June 11.

Due to the heightened tensions, the Strait of Hormuz has again been effectively paralyzed.

Reuters reported, citing shipping data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), that only four ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the 19th, down by half from eight the previous day.

Iran claims control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route, and insists that vessels must operate with its permission.

As the U.S. does not recognize this claim, some ships have attempted to sail through routes not designated by Iran, leading to attacks by Iranian forces.

In a statement on this day, the IRGC claimed, "Late last night, two oil tankers, under the instigation and coercion of the U.S. military, attempted to enter and exit through dangerous, high-risk waterways south of the Strait of Hormuz, violating regulations and resulting in explosions that halted their operations."

Optimistic expectations that diplomatic negotiations between the two countries would resume in the near future have dimmed.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters before departing for the Philippines to attend the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, "If the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) are being violated, one cannot say that the MOU is still valid," while adding, "The United States is always open to a diplomatic solution."