Iran says it hit a US ship in a week of renewed hostilities, and other Mideast news

Iran claimed on Sunday that it had attacked a U.S. naval vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating hostilities between the nations following a period of relative calm. Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon resulted in at least four deaths and 20 injuries, including children, according to Lebanese authorities. This comes near an area that has become a flashpoint in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

State-run media in Tehran reported that the U.S. ship was attempting to enter a restricted area in the Strait of Hormuz. However, U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East, did not confirm the claim or respond to requests for comment. The escalation appears to be part of a week-long surge of attacks following about a month of relative quiet.

The conflict began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, but intermittent fighting has continued since a ceasefire agreement was announced in June. The latest violence involves Israeli strikes in Lebanon leading to four deaths and 20 injuries, as well as the destruction of an empty hospital. Israeli officials said their actions were in response to a drone attack by Hezbollah on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.