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 accused of trying 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 and wounded over 300.

The conflict has focused on the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran closed on February 28.

That closure sent 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 elaborate.

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

Human rights lawyer Jared Genser identified the detainee as Dena Karari, 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 by firing a missile into its smokestack.

The tanker had 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, more than 15% higher than before the war.