The United States expanded its strikes into northern Iran early Thursday.

It hit targets near Tehran for the first time in this round of violence.

American forces also fired on a ship.

They said the ship tried to break the naval blockade on Iran.

Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait.

Days of back-and-forth strikes have damaged the interim deal to end the Iran war.

Iranian officials say U.S. strikes have killed more than 35 people.

They also say over 300 people are wounded.

The conflict has focused on the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran closed it on February 28, sending oil prices soaring.

An adviser to Iran's supreme leader called control of the strait "a very precious achievement."

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran wants to settle, but he did not give details.

He also said Tehran released an American citizen as a goodwill gesture.

Human rights lawyer Jared Genser identified the detainee as Dena Karari.

She is a U.S.-Iranian citizen charged with espionage.

Iran did not immediately acknowledge the release.

The U.S. military said it disabled the oil tanker Belma.

It fired a missile into its smokestack after the tanker ignored warnings.

Another strike hit a barracks in Sistan and Baluchestan province, killing seven soldiers.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard threatened to halt all energy exports from the Middle East over the blockade.

The price of Brent crude oil traded above $85 a barrel on Thursday.

That is more than 15% higher than before the war.