US Concludes Latest Strikes on Iran
The US military said late Wednesday that it had completed its latest round of attacks on Iran.
However, President Donald Trump warned that military operations would continue until Tehran agreed to enter negotiations.
US Central Command said the strikes were designed to weaken Iran’s ability to attack vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM Targets Iranian Military Sites
CENTCOM carried out two separate operations on Wednesday.
The first attack began at approximately 6:00 a.m. ET, while the second took place at around 3:00 p.m. ET.
According to the military, the strikes targeted several locations, including Bandar Abbas and other Iranian facilities positioned along the Strait of Hormuz.
The strategic waterway remains central to the conflict because it carries a significant share of global energy shipments.
Iran Responds With Missiles and Drones
Iran reportedly retaliated by launching missile and drone attacks against several US military targets across the region.
Local media reports also indicated that Tehran rejected Washington’s claim that the Strait of Hormuz remained open.
Iranian forces were reportedly seen targeting commercial vessels that attempted to travel through the waterway.
These developments increased fears of further disruption to international shipping and regional energy exports.
Trump Considers Expanding the Military Campaign
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump was leaning toward broadening the US military operation after receiving several days of briefings from senior national security officials.
The options under consideration reportedly include a larger air campaign and the possible deployment of ground forces.
US forces could also attempt to seize strategically important Iranian islands near the Strait of Hormuz.
Another option involves striking a heavily fortified facility that is believed to support covert nuclear activity.
Iran Releases Detained US Citizen
Despite the growing military tensions, Trump said Iran had released an American citizen who had been detained since late 2024.
The president thanked Tehran for what he described as an act of goodwill.
The release suggested that diplomatic communication between the two countries had continued despite the ongoing exchange of attacks.
US and Iran Remain in Contact
Trump said his administration had communicated with Iranian officials earlier on Tuesday.
During an interview with Fox News, he claimed that US representatives had spoken with Tehran only about an hour before the interview.
According to Trump, Iranian officials expressed an interest in reaching an agreement.
However, he warned that US strikes would continue until he personally decided that the military campaign had achieved its objectives.
Trump Pressures Iran to Reach a Deal
Trump urged Iran to negotiate and warned that refusing to reach an agreement could result in further destruction.
He said attacks against the country would continue until Tehran accepted a deal.
The president’s comments suggested that the US military campaign was being used to place additional pressure on Iran during negotiations.
Oil Infrastructure Could Become a Target
Trump said attacks on Iran’s oil infrastructure would be reserved as a final option.
However, he warned that such strikes could eventually take place if the conflict continued.
Iran is a major energy producer, and damage to its oil facilities could reduce global supplies and push crude prices higher.
Trump also raised the possibility of launching additional attacks against Iranian nuclear facilities, including a site known as Pickaxe Mountain.
White House Discusses Larger Iran Offensive
Trump reportedly held a Situation Room meeting on Tuesday to discuss a much broader military operation against Iran.
Axios reported that officials considered expanding the conflict beyond the existing strikes in southern Iran and around the Strait of Hormuz.
Such an escalation could significantly increase the risks facing regional security, shipping routes, and global energy markets.
Trump Drops Proposed Hormuz Shipping Toll
Trump had previously considered imposing a 20% toll on vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, he later withdrew the proposal after speaking with leaders across the Middle East.
The decision may have been intended to reduce additional pressure on commercial shipping during the conflict.
Commercial Shipping Attacks Trigger New Fighting
The latest confrontation followed Iranian attacks against commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran had claimed that ships could only cross the waterway by using routes approved by Iranian authorities.
The United States responded by launching new strikes against Iranian targets connected to the attacks.
Iran then retaliated, further weakening a memorandum of understanding reached between the two countries in June.
The collapse of that agreement has raised concerns that the conflict could continue expanding unless both sides return to negotiations.
