Deadly Iran Blasts and US Warnings Escalate Mideast Tensions.

Iran experienced deadly blasts in a central province, resulting in almost 100 deaths. Iran claims that the explosions were intended to punish its stance against Israel's invasion of Gaza, potentially escalating the conflict in the region. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which targeted a crowd commemorating the death of Qassem Soleimani, a powerful Iranian general killed by the US in 2020. Following the blasts, several countries, led by the US, issued a warning against Houthi militants in Yemen, an Iranian proxy force, regarding their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Analysts believe that while a direct US-Iran confrontation is unlikely, proxy attacks may increase, potentially leading to a larger conflict. The situation has also caused oil prices to rise due to concerns about disruptions in the region's crude production and shipping. [Extracted from the article]

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