The U.S. military started a new wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday, with reporting pointing to activity beginning around 6 a.m. ET. The Pentagon said the aim is to further degrade Iran’s capacity to threaten commercial vessels and civilian mariners in the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation follows earlier U.S.-Iran exchanges after attacks on shipping, and comes as officials warn renewed fighting could disrupt maritime traffic and raise risks for regional forces. Iran has signaled it will retaliate.