WASHINGTON, United States – The United States has launched a fresh wave of military strikes on Iran, with explosions reported in several southern coastal cities after President Donald Trump vowed to “hit them hard again” following what he described as Iranian attacks on commercial shipping.
Iranian state media reported explosions in the southern port cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas, both located along the strategic Strait of Hormuz, with additional blasts reported in Konarak, Chabahar and on Abu Musa Island.
Following the strikes, Trump said the attacks were retaliation for what he alleged was Iran’s bombing of commercial vessels a day earlier.
“This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The latest escalation came after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it had struck 90 Iranian military targets, including air defence systems and military logistics infrastructure along Iran’s southern coastline.
According to CENTCOM, the operation was intended to “further degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping and innocent civilian mariners” transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest oil shipping routes.
The military said the operation followed strikes carried out the previous night, describing both offensives as successful.
Iranian state television reported eight explosions in Bandar Abbas and said missiles also struck the ports of Sirik and Jask. Air defence systems were activated in Bandar Abbas as authorities responded to the attacks.
Iranian media also reported power outages in Chabahar and a fire at a barracks belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Bushehr. Officials later said electricity had been restored to most affected areas.
The extent of damage or casualties resulting from the strikes was not immediately clear.
The military escalation also triggered security alerts across the Gulf region.
Authorities reported explosions in Bahrain’s capital, Manama, while Kuwait said it intercepted missiles and drones. Qatar also issued a security alert as regional tensions intensified.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, condemned the US operation, warning that Tehran would respond to further attacks.
“Let me put it plainly: if you strike, you’ll get hit,” Ghalibaf wrote on X, adding that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz would only occur under Iran’s arrangements and not “American threats.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that Iran had contacted the United States seeking renewed negotiations but questioned whether Tehran could be trusted to honour any future agreement.
“I just don’t know if they’re worthy of making a deal. I don’t know that they’re going to honour the deal,” he said.
Trump also declared that last month’s ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran was effectively over, describing further negotiations as “a waste of time.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected Trump’s remarks, saying Tehran would respond through action rather than rhetoric.
“We do not answer vulgarity with vulgarity, but with action: fearlessly and with great valour,” Araghchi said in a post on X.
The latest exchange marks one of the most serious escalations between the two countries since they signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17 aimed at reducing hostilities, safeguarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and creating space for negotiations.
Although the 60-day negotiation period under the agreement has not yet expired, the renewed military exchanges have cast further doubt over prospects for a diplomatic resolution.
