Middle East crisis live: US says nearly 2,000 targets hit in Iran war; Trump says navy may escort tankers through Strait of Hormuz | US-Israel war on Iran

The ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran has resulted in significant casualties and economic disruption across the Middle East. The US military claims to have conducted nearly 2,000 strikes on targets within Iran since the beginning of the war, a scale exceeding the "shock-and-awe" operation against Iraq in 2003. The conflict has also led to heightened tensions and market volatility, with oil prices soaring as global energy exports from the region are disrupted. The UK government is assisting British citizens seeking evacuation from the Middle East while Israel continues its airstrikes targeting Iranian infrastructure. Lebanon has experienced significant casualties due to Israeli strikes, prompting calls for de-escalation by international leaders.