The Iranian government is taking an increasingly aggressive approach as it confronts a growing economic threat and worries that its grip on the Strait of Hormuz is slipping, analysts say.

By Andrea Shalal and David Shepardson WASHINGTON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The United States on Tuesday issued 36 Iran-related sanctions targeting the country's aviation sector and other companies as part of a broad push to escalate economic pressure on Tehran as the war in the Middle East has moved into a seventh month.

According to military officials, the strikes followed Iranian attacks on a U.S. Navy vessel. It wasn’t immediately clear if anyone was aboard the non-military tankers.

The weapons system officer was part of the two-man crew shot down over Iran, prompting one of the most complex rescue operations in U.S. military history.

Yemen's Tehran-backed Houthi movement fired missiles and drones at Saudi Arabian cities and energy facilities on Tuesday, part of a wider regional escalation more than six months into the U.S. war with Iran.

Brazilian oil production and exports have hit record highs this year, largely due to increased demand from China as the US-Iran war continues to reshape global trade and geopolitical relationships.

The price of Brent crude, the international standard for oil, added 67 cents, reaching $96.95 per barrel. In the U.S., the average price of regular gas was $4.14 a gallon going into Labor Day weekend, nearly a dollar higher than last year and a record for any Labor Day weekend

Israel's capture of the Ali al-Taher ridge dealt a severe blow to Iran's Axis of Resistance, but experts warn Hezbollah is still rebuilding.