US launches new strikes on Iran after Trump warning
Quick Look
The US military launched new self-defense strikes on Iran after President Trump warned of retaliation for "unwarranted and continued aggression." Iran's IRGC navy targeted two ships in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting further US strikes on key facilities.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The US and Iran agreed a ceasefire in April that was meant to last for two weeks. Both sides have since exchanged intermittent fire, without returning to full-scale hostilities. President Trump has warned Iran to "make a deal" to end the war.
The US military has launched new strikes on Iran after President Donald Trump said US forces would hit the country "hard" as Tehran has taken "too long to make a deal" to end the war.
The US Central Command (Centcom) said it began "self-defense strikes" on Wednesday against "multiple targets". It said the strikes were a "response to Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression".
Two ships in the Strait of Hormuz were hit by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) navy shortly after the country's military said vessels would be "targeted" in the Strait, state media reports.
Explosions have also been heard on the island of Qeshm in the Gulf, as well as a number of other cities, including Bandar Abbas and Sirik.
In response to the US strikes, Iran's top military command warned all vessels – including oil tankers and commercial ships – transiting through Hormuz would be attacked.
The IRGC navy, which patrols the strategically important strait, said soon after that it had struck two oil tankers attempting what it called "illegal passage".
Hours before the latest US attack was launched, Trump had warned: "We hit them hard yesterday and we're going to hit them hard again today."
Trump wrote on Truth Social that Iranian leaders have "taken too long to negotiate a deal", while the Iranian foreign ministry accused the US of "damaging the diplomatic process through the contradictory message it sends".
In response to Trump's comments Iran's president Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran "will stand firm against any pressure or threat".
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth later said bombs would be "dropping on key facilities in Iran".
Hegseth said Iran had been given a chance to make a deal but had not taken it, and Trump had said Iran would be attacked again if no peace deal was secured.
In April, the US and Iran agreed a ceasefire that was initially meant to last for two weeks. Both sides have since exchanged intermittent fire, without returning to full-scale hostilities.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Further military exchanges between the US and Iran.
Very likely · Within days
Significant increase in global oil prices.
Likely · Immediate
Collapse of the April ceasefire.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What specific "key facilities" in Iran were targeted by the US?
- What is the extent of damage to the targeted ships and facilities?
- Will Iran's warning about attacking all vessels in Hormuz be carried out?
- What are the immediate economic consequences for global oil prices?
