Air raid sirens blared in Bahrain and other Gulf states as the struggle for control of the Strait of Hormuz continued after US forces conducted a ninth day of air strikes on targets around Iran. Tensions increased over the weekend in the Gulf after the deaths of three US soldiers -- and possibly a fourth -- were announced. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the latest wave of strikes was aimed at degrading Iran's ability to threaten vessels transiting the strait, a strategic waterway that usually sees about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas transit.…