The United States hit targets in northern Iran early Thursday. It was the first time they hit near Tehran in this fight. American forces also fired at a ship. They said the ship tried to break the naval blockade on Iran. Iran fought back with missiles and drones. They hit Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait.

Strikes have gone back and forth for days. This has hurt the early deal to end the Iran war. Iranian officials say U.S. strikes have killed more than 35 people. They have wounded over 300. The fight is about the Strait of Hormuz. Iran closed it on February 28. This made oil prices go very high. An adviser to Iran's supreme leader said control of the strait is "a very precious achievement."

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran wants to settle. He did not say more. He also said Tehran let an American citizen go. It was a goodwill gesture. Human rights lawyer Jared Genser said the person is Dena Karari. She is a U.S.-Iranian citizen. She was charged with spying. Iran did not say yes to the release right away.

The U.S. military said it stopped the oil tanker Belma. It fired a missile into its smokestack. The ship did not listen to warnings. Another strike hit a barracks in Sistan and Baluchestan province. It killed seven soldiers. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it would stop all energy exports from the Middle East. The price of Brent crude oil was above $85 a barrel on Thursday. That is more than 15% higher than before the war.