US Resumes Strikes on Iran for Second Day; Trump Claims Tehran Seeks Deal

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Iran-US war latest: Trump claims Tehran wants to make a deal ‘so badly’ as US resumes strikes for a second day

Trump said it was a ‘waste of time’ dealing with Iran following strikes on ships in the Strait of Hormuz

The US has continued carrying out airstrikes against Iran, after Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that the ceasefire between the nations is “over” in the wake of Iranian attacks on commercial vessels this week.

The president wrote on social media on Wednesday evening that the strikes were “retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran,” warning that attacks could “get much worse” if hostilities continue.

The Republican told reporters on Air Force One that Iran had reached out recently, claiming Tehran still wants to make a deal “so badly,” though Iran has not confirmed any such peace overtures.

US Central Command said American forces were “attempting to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz”.

Explosions have been reported in coastal areas across southern Iran.

The resumption of attacks comes as the president said he was “not sure” if he wanted to make a deal with Tehran going forward.

Asked why he now viewed Iran’s leadership as “scum”, the US leader told the Nato summit that he “got to know 'em”.

President Trump also said he did not think a full-fledged conflict would erupt in the wake ​of strikes from both sides.

Trump floats US troop removal in Europe over Iran and Greenland tensions

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, President Trump suggested the US might realign or pull back US troops in response to his frustrations over European leaders’ handling of the Greenland and Iran crises.

The Republican said “a lot’s going to depend on Greenland,” the Nato ally the US has been pushing to take over despite firm protests from Denmark and numerous other European nations.

Trump also claimed “a lot’s dependent on Iran”, reiterating his regular criticisms that Europe didn’t do enough to support the original US war effort.

“When they had a chance, an opportunity to help, they chose not to”, the president said. “But we’re sort of forgetting about that”.

Josh Marcus8 July 2026 23:54

Iran 'called a little while ago' seeking a deal, Trump claims

Iran remains desperate to make a deal with the US, President Donald Trump claims.

“They called a little while ago”, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Wednesday night.

“They want to make a deal so badly”, he added. “I just don't know if they're worthy of making it. I don't know that they're going to honor the deal. That's the problem”.

Josh Marcus8 July 2026 23:40

Recap: US strikes ‘over 80’ Iranian targets after tankers hit in Strait of Hormuz

US forces said they launched “over 80” strikes on Iranian targets in response to Iran’s targeting of tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran said it had retaliated with strikes against Bahrain and Kuwait.

The attacks came just hours after Washington also pulled Tehran’s license to sell oil, which was only issued last month following an interim ceasefire deal.

The strategic waterway remains a flashpoint in the fragile truce, having sparked a previous exchange of fire between the two sides after a cargo ship was struck, threatening the agreement aimed at ending the war.

Read the full story:

US strikes ‘over 80’ Iranian targets after tankers hit in Strait of Hormuz

Following the strikes, Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the US of committing ‘major’ violations of the initial ceasefire deal.

James Reynolds8 July 2026 23:40

Wall St falls as Trump's Iran remarks weigh on markets

Wall Street's main indexes fell on Wednesday after President Donald Trump said an interim deal with Iran was “over”, while gains in Broadcom gave respite to the recently beaten-down chip stocks.

Speaking at the Nato summit, Trump said he had no interest in engaging further with Iran. Adding to tensions, he warned Iran that Washington will likely engage in additional strikes on Wednesday night.

"The million-dollar question is whether this marks a complete breakdown in negotiations and a return to hostilities, or merely a temporary setback," said Matthew Ryan, head of market strategy at Ebury.

Nine of the 11 sectors on the benchmark S&P 500 were trading lower, except for the energy index and information technology.

Oil prices extended gains on Wednesday following Trump's remarks, with Brent crude futures and US West Texas Intermediate crude futures both rising more than 5%.

Reuters8 July 2026 23:30

Watch: US launches strikes on Iran after attacks on commercial ships

James Reynolds8 July 2026 23:15

Trump issues warning of 'much worse' strikes and shares video of explosions

President Donald Trump warned that American forces will step up attacks if hostilities from Iran continue.

“This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran”, he wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. “If it happens again, it will get much worse!”

The president also shared video showing explosions above an urban area at night, though the source and content of the video was not immediately unclear.

Josh Marcus8 July 2026 23:02

US military in 'wait-and-see mode,' official says

U.S. military leaders are cautiously monitoring the situation after American forces struck targets across Iran tonight.

A U.S. official told a CNN reporter aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln in the north Arabian Sea that forces were in “wait-and-see mode” after targeting missile and drone capabilities in Iran, as well as targets that could threaten shipping near the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. Navy conducted the strikes via land and sea, the official said.

Josh Marcus8 July 2026 22:44

US ramping up strikes in second day of Iran bombings, official says

The ongoing strikes against Iran will be greater in number than the ones carried out on Tuesday, a US official told Reuters.

Targets are expected to include Iranian military coastal radars, anti-ship missile positions and air defence systems.

Harriette Boucher8 July 2026 22:19

Hospital hit by shrapnel in US attack

An Iranian hospital has been struck by shrapnel from projectiles in US attacks on Wednesday.

Local media reported that Chabahar’s Imam Ali Hospital was hit.

Several southern Iranian towns have been targeted in strikes on Wednesday, as the US looks to strike military targets in the Strait of Hormuz.

Harriette Boucher8 July 2026 22:02

‘Sort yourselves out, we need you!’: Finland’s PM berates UK for changing PM again at Nato summit

Britain was urged to “sort itself out” and “do what needs to be done” on the world stage by the Finnish president as allies gathered for a challenging summit of Nato leaders in Turkey.

Speaking to BBC Newsnight on the sidelines of the meeting on Tuesday, Alexander Stubb warned of the “precarious” state of global politics and urged the UK: “Just sort yourself out, please. We need you.”

“In other words, stay British. Stay calm. Do what needs to be done,” he said, adding: “I just think it’s very important that we have a strong and stable United Kingdom in Europe and in the world.”

Britain urged to ‘sort yourselves out’ as world leaders gather for Nato summit

Alexander Stubb said previously that Europe should build a flexible partnership with the UK after Brexit

James Reynolds8 July 2026 22:00