American forces launched fresh strikes against Iran to degrade Tehran’s ability to target commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, CENTCOM said, as a U.S. naval blockade against Iranian ports resumed Tuesday.

While preferring diplomacy, the president was briefed this week on options, including the use of ground troops and bombing the nuclear-linked site Pickaxe Mountain.

On the fifth straight day of fighting, the U.S. launched a 90-minute attack on Iran, while Tehran targeted Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait.

Vice President JD Vance told Joe Rogan that a Republican faction is trying to derail the Iran deal, warning of a refugee crisis if regime change occurs.

"We've gone from a bad U.S.-Iran deal to more strikes, another blockade, and added turmoil that will only drive prices higher," said one lawmaker.

Jared Genser, a lawyer who has been involved with high-profile cases of U.S. citizens detained in Iran, named the released citizen as his client, Dena Karari.

By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali WASHINGTON, July 15 (Reuters) - Recent waves of U.S. strikes on Iran aimed at forcing open the Strait of Hormuz are also targeting Iranian military capabilities the U.S.

The artist collective behind the stunt told TIME the statue is “an attempt to de-escalate the conflict through positive reinforcement.”