US-Iran Tensions Escalate as Iran Bars US Ships From Gulf

Iran has declared that US military ships will never be allowed to enter the Gulf under any circumstances, with a senior official stating President Trump will "take that dream to his grave," as tensions escalate in the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Former US President Barack Obama accused President Donald Trump of starting an unnecessary war with Iran that has left Tehran in a stronger strategic position, cost American lives, and pushed up prices. Obama said Iran now has "veto power over the Strait of Hormuz," a key route for global oil, and blamed the war for higher costs of "just about everything." The US military has prepared options for renewed strikes on Iran after November's midterm elections, while Trump said an attack could come as soon as "tomorrow" or a deal could be reached. Iran has ramped up efforts to target US personnel, and Yemen's Houthis claimed seven attacks against Saudi Arabia, including on Riyadh's airport.