Pakistan, June 11 -- The United States (US) and Iran exchanged fresh military strikes for a second consecutive day on Thursday, further undermining a fragile ceasefire agreement and raising concerns about a wider regional conflict.

The latest escalation follows the downing of a US Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week, triggering a series of retaliatory attacks by both sides. The renewed hostilities have cast doubt over efforts to secure a lasting peace deal and end a conflict that began in February with large-scale US-Israeli air strikes on Iran.

According to the US military, its latest operation targeted Iranian military surveillance systems, communication networks and air defence installations. Washington desc...