Kathmandu— In a series of military actions and political statements, the United States, Iran, and Israel have escalated tensions in the Middle East. The U.S. military struck Iranian oil tankers, while the U.S. ambassador to Israel condemned violent Israeli settlers, and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels accused Yemen’s government of killings. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes killed civilians in Lebanon. These events underscore the volatile nature of the region.

US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers

The U.S. military claimed it hit three Iranian oil tankers, accusing Iran of targeting its warships. Iranian state TV reported that four U.S. missiles struck a tanker near Kharg Island, but denied any casualties. The strikes come after a month of relative calm and follow a resumption of U.S. attacks on Iranian targets. The U.S. military stated that its aircraft carrier and destroyer had evaded multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks while patrolling the region without any U.S. casualties.

US Ambassador Condemns Israeli Settler Violence

The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, condemned violent Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, calling their actions an 'act of terror.' He addressed Palestinian American residents in Turmus Ayya, emphasizing that such behavior extends beyond criminal acts. The U.S. ambassador’s comments follow weeks of unrest in Qusra, where settlers surrounded several homes, including one owned by a Palestinian American. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the actions of a 'handful of rioters.'

Houthi Accuses Yemen’s Government of Killings

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels accused Yemen’s government of killing three people in attacks in Hodeida and Taiz provinces. The Houthi authorities reported a father and daughter killed in an attack on their house, while shelling in Taiz killed a man and wounded another. Yemen’s military launched more than 15 airstrikes on the Houthis. The SABA news agency, controlled by Yemen’s internationally recognized government, reported that the Yemeni military had taken control of Hais district in Hodeida, but there was no immediate Houthi comment.

Israeli Strikes in Lebanon

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that Israeli strikes killed three people and wounded nearly two dozen in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley. Israel’s army said it struck positions of the Hezbollah militant group in response to a drone launched toward Israeli forces. The strikes occurred as Lebanon and Israel signed a U.S.-mediated framework deal, but little progress has been made. The latest Israel-Hezbollah war began when Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel days after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran.

Egyptian Diplomatic Efforts

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called for the U.S. and Iran to return to the negotiating table. The comments came in separate phone calls with the foreign ministers of Bahrain and Oman. Abdelatty urged prioritizing de-escalation and maintaining the safety of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, where traffic remains at reduced levels as Iran continues to assert control over the waterway.

These events continue to raise concerns about the stability of the region and the potential for further escalation.

(With inputs from AP)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.