Pakistan, July 24 -- The United States(US) and Iran exchanged fresh military strikes across the Gulf on Friday, intensifying fears of a wider regional conflict as both sides escalated retaliatory attacks and tensions spread beyond the Strait of Hormuz.

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Iran said it launched drone strikes targeting US military facilities across the Middle East in response to the 13th consecutive night of American airstrikes. Iranian state media reported explosions along the country's Gulf coast as well as in western, northern and central regions, with at least four people killed and five others injured in an attack in the southwest.

Iran later announced strikes targetin...