The US military has initiated a new wave of airstrikes against Iran, escalating tensions after President Donald Trump pledged to “hit them hard” in response to an overnight exchange of attacks on Tuesday.
Iranian state media reported explosions in southern regions, including the strategic port cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas, located near the critical maritime chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command (Centcom) stated the operation aimed to “further degrade Iran’s capacity to endanger freedom of navigation” in the region. Iran has not yet issued an official response, though senior officials previously warned that any US attack would trigger an “immediate retaliatory measure”.
Centcom emphasized that the strikes were intended to hold Iran responsible for “recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews navigating a vital international waterway”. Reports from Iranian state media also indicated detonations in Konarak and Chabahar, with air defense systems activated in Bandar Abbas.
The latest escalation follows a prior exchange on Tuesday, when the US conducted “powerful” strikes after Iranian forces targeted three tankers in the strait. On Wednesday, Iran retaliated by striking US military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait, marking the most intense conflict between the two nations since their June 17 agreement on a staged diplomatic process.
President Trump declared on Wednesday that the June ceasefire agreement is now “over”, asserting that the US had “hit them very hard last night” and planned further action. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on X: “We do not answer vulgarity with vulgarity, but with action: fearlessly and with great valour.”
The June agreement included 14 provisions, such as a 60-day negotiation window, guaranteed vessel passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and sanctions relief for Iran. While the ceasefire period remains active, Trump has dismissed further talks as “a waste of time”.
This marks the third instance of US strikes since the agreement’s signing, following attacks on June 26 and 27 in response to Iranian actions. By late June, both sides had temporarily de-escalated, but renewed hostilities have now resumed.
Also Read
- Meta to Invest Over $9.1 Billion in Canada’s First AI Data Center, Its Largest Outside the U.S.
- US Threatens Renewed Military Strikes Against Iran Following Shipping Attacks in Strait of Hormuz
- Brazil’s Trade Shift to China Amid US Tariff Pressures and Declining US Market Share
- Justin Bieber to Join Madonna, Shakira and BTS for FIFA World Cup Halftime Spectacular in New York]