Kathmandu— United States President Donald Trump has threatened further military action against Iran, stating that the U.S. can strike “anytime we want,” as the death toll from recent airstrikes rose to 18, with over 100 others wounded. The strikes included an attack on a wedding party in Kuhestak, which Iranian officials described as a war crime.

Impact of Strikes

The U.S. military targeted cities and areas along Iran’s southern coast near the Strait of Hormuz, including a strike that hit a wedding party in Kuhestak, killing at least four people, two of whom were children. Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi, Iran's health minister, confirmed the deaths of two children, one as young as four years old.

Iranian Response

In response to the U.S. strikes, Iranian officials have accused the U.S. of committing a war crime by targeting civilians. Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, wrote on X that the attack in Kuhestak was “horrifying” and that American propaganda has never dared make such claims before.

Economic and Political Fallout

The ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran has led to a spike in oil prices, affecting the global economy and causing political problems for Trump’s Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections. A poll by Reuters/Ipsos shows that only 31 percent of Americans approve of the war, while 63 percent disapprove.

Strategic Position

Tariq Khan, a retired Pakistani lieutenant-general, noted that the U.S. finds itself in an increasingly uncomfortable strategic position due to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its targeting of ships attempting to cross it. Despite Trump's claims of control over the strait, only a handful of vessels now pass through each day.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.