US pummels Iranian sites as Tehran targets regional bases stationing US forces

Iran targeted American strongholds around the Persian Gulf on Friday, while the US bombarded Iranian military sites as the rivals showed no sign of backing away from their conflict after a 13th straight night of strikes. Read moreMiddle East live: Trump says US and Iran are talking, but Tehran not yet ready for a deal With fighting flaring again and diplomacy appearing to sputter, both sides made moves suggesting an escalation was possible. US embassies in the Middle East began alerting Americans in the region that options to leave could become more limited, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard advised residents of neighbouring countries to stay away from bases with US troops. Vowing that Iran “will not bow to US” bullying, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi noted ongoing discussions with two global powers often at odds with Americans – China and Russia – and warned in an interview with the semi-official news outlet Tasnim that the Islamic Republic is “neither intimidated by threats nor will we yield to pressure”. At the center of the fight is the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for world energy supplies that has been effectively shut down by Iranian attacks, sending fuel pric...