Iran says it will keep attacking region until US ends strikes

The Iranian army says it will continue its strikes around the region until the attacks on Iran stop, state television reports.

“The armed forces’ retaliatory attacks will continue as long as the US attacks on the country’s infrastructure and coastal areas continue,” says army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia, according to state TV, adding that the country is ready for “every enemy scenario.”

Meanwhile, a senior official with the Houthis says a blockade on Saudi-linked shipping would remain in effect until a years-old Saudi blockade against the Iran-backed rebel group is lifted.

An Arab diplomat says Gulf states are increasingly pessimistic about finding an off-ramp for escalating hostilities in the region and are particularly concerned about the latest round of threats.

The diplomat says countries in the region, in addition to Pakistan and Turkey, are continuing to push for de-escalation but that chances for improvement currently appear bleak.