The Middle East remains on edge 100 days after the United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran, with fresh clashes threatening to deepen the conflict.
The US military said it shot down two Iranian attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz late Saturday, while Iran responded to recent American strikes by launching missiles toward US allies Bahrain and Kuwait.
The latest exchanges come after weeks of indirect diplomacy, tit-for-tat threats and sporadic military confrontations failed to secure a ceasefire or reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil and gas shipments.
As tensions rise, concerns are mounting over the risk of a wider conflict and further disruption to energy markets.