An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, prepares to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).Courtesy: U.S. NavyThe U.S. began a "series of powerful strikes" against Iran on Tuesday in retaliation for Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command said. The new U.S. attacks threaten to reignite conflict in the region, and could spark fears that the Strait of Hormuz will close again. Oil prices rose dramatically during the U.S.-Iran conflict, stoking inflation around the globe.The strikes come after the U.S. and Iran traded blows last month after similar Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the strait, which is one of the world's most critical chokepoints th