Iran buries victims of reported US wedding attack, fires on Kuwait

Key Points:

• Iranian mourners held funerals for victims of a U.S. airstrike that reportedly hit a wedding party near the Strait of Hormuz, killing four and wounding nearly 70, according to Iranian officials; the U.S. military denied targeting civilians.
• In retaliation, Iran launched missiles and drones overnight at a U.S. base in Kuwait, marking the largest escalation in the conflict in over a month, with Kuwait's military intercepting some of the attacks.
• The U.S. airstrikes on Tuesday targeted military sites along the Iranian coast in response to Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a surge in global oil prices above $96 per barrel.
• Iran's response included attacks on multiple U.S. bases in the region, but the flare-up appeared to subside by Thursday with no further major incidents reported.
• Despite severe economic strain from a U.S. blockade, Iran's leadership remains in power and seeks to strengthen its position by demanding sanctions relief and control over fees from shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.