The US said it began a new wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday after reimposing a naval blockade of Iranian ports. U.S. Central Command said the attacks are meant to further degrade military capabilities Iran has used to target commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation follows earlier rounds of strikes near the strait and Iranian threats to disrupt regional energy exports. Iran also claimed retaliatory strikes against U.S. military-related targets in the region, widening the cycle of attacks.