War rages as Israel expand attacks in Lebanon, Iran chokes shipping

The war in the Middle East raged on multiple fronts Monday, as the U.S. and Israel pummeled military targets in Iran's capital, Israel stepped up its campaign against Iran-backed militants in Lebanon and Iran retaliated with a drone strike that temporarily forced the closure of Dubai's airport, a crucial hub for travelers. Fears of a global energy crisis persisted, even as a small number of ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which a fifth of the world's oil is usually transported. Iranian strikes on commercial ships in and around the strait - and even just the threat of attacks - have slowed shipping to a trickle, dramatically increasing the price of oil and pressuring Washington to do something to ease the pain for consumers and the global economy. Brent crude, the international standard, remained over $100 a barrel on Monday. U.S. President Donald Trump said he has demanded that roughly a half-dozen countries send warships to keep the Strait of ...