US and Iran Escalate Conflict with Cross-Border Strikes Amid Faltering Ceasefire

DUBDAI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and Iran exchanged aerial attacks for a second consecutive day on Thursday, with President Donald Trump warning that Washington would intensify military action unless Tehran immediately capitulates to peace negotiations.

The latest escalation traces to Monday’s downing of a U.S. Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, triggering retaliatory strikes against Iranian facilities and regional U.S. installations. This represents the most significant breach of a fragile April ceasefire, casting doubt on prospects for ending the four-month conflict initiated by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes in late February.

U.S. Central Command confirmed strikes targeting Iranian “military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense sites,” while attributing the action to Tehran’s “unwarranted and continued aggression.”

President Trump signaled potential further escalation during Wednesday remarks to Fox News, stating bombing would cease temporarily but resume heavily if Iran’s leadership fails to accept an immediate deal. Oil prices jumped nearly $3 per barrel following these threats.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported retaliatory attacks on 18 U.S. targets, including airbases in Kuwait and Bahrain, the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, and repeated missile assaults on Jordan’s al-Azraq air base. Kuwait and Bahrain independently confirmed intercepting Iranian drones and missiles.

The conflict has shuttered the Strait of Hormuz for months, with Iran warning it will attack any vessels attempting passage. The U.S. disputed this closure, asserting commercial shipping continues unimpeded.

Iranian state media reported explosions across 93-million-person Iran, including coastal cities near the strait and northern regions approaching the Caspian Sea.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth framed the strikes as advancing both military objectives and diplomatic leverage, telling reporters: “We will strike them hard tonight, and hopefully Iran makes a good decision… If we need to negotiate with bombs, we’ll negotiate with bombs.”

Despite ongoing negotiations, the sides have exchanged repeated fire since the ceasefire took effect. Trump insists a deal is near, though no breakthrough has materialized.

Iranian demands include halting attacks on Lebanon, lifting sanctions, releasing frozen assets, and affirming Iranian maritime control. The U.S. requires free strait transit and guarantees Iran cannot pursue nuclear weapons—claims Tehran denies.

The war has killed thousands, disrupted roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies, and spiked fuel prices—a political liability for the White House. Poll-driven pressure and Republican concerns about November midterm election losses underscore domestic challenges.

Concurrent fighting persists in Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes killed at least 13 people Wednesday. Hezbollah claimed retaliatory attacks against Israeli forces.

Iran accused the U.S. of bombing water reservoirs serving 10 villages, calling it a “calculated war crime.” The Pentagon has not responded publicly to this allegation.

Both sides maintain blockade positions: Iran restricts Hormuz transit while the U.S. blocks Iranian ports.