After reimposing a naval blockade of Iran’s ports, the US launched two rounds of attacks on its coastal defences and missile sites on Wednesday. Iran responded by hitting US military sites in neighbouring countries in an “existential war” with America.
Iran threatened to cut off more regional energy exports days after a tenuous truce failed, heightening the possibility of conflict.
Since Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz late Saturday, hostilities have escalated. The vital artery carried about 20% of global oil and gas shipments before the war. Military actions are also blocking ships. International benchmark Brent crude oil hit a one-month high of $84.95 a barrel on Wednesday.
US Central Command said the military hit coastal defence systems and cruise missile storage and launch locations on Iran’s Greater Tunb Island at 6:00 am EDT (10:00 GMT) and then struck numerous cities nine hours later.
On the Strait of Hormuz, US forces hit Iranian command centres, air defence sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities, as well as Bandar Abbas, home to Iran’s largest port, navy, and Revolutionary Guard facilities.
The US military said, “Earlier this morning, American forces struck coastal defence and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb Island during a 90-minute wave.”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced Wednesday it has hit US military targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. The Guards stated they launched a missile and drone attack on a US military collection and radar system at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.
Three US officials told Reuters that US strikes to open the strait are also targeting Iranian military capabilities the US wants to degrade before more complex operations.
A Hellfire missile from the US military hit an unladen oil tanker attempting to sail into Iran’s Kharg Island after it ignored several warnings. Since beginning a naval blockade on Iran on Tuesday, the US has redirected two ships and disabled another, the military said.
Explosions: Iranian media reported explosions in coastal locations, including Bandar Abbas. Another explosion or projectile strike was reported in Ahvaz, inland from the northern Gulf, and in Konarak, Sirik, and Qeshm in southern Iran.
Press TV reported two explosions in the central Iranian city of Khondab, 250 km (155 miles) southwest of Tehran. Mehr reported that Iran activated Tehran’s air defences against “hostile threats”.
According to Iranian state TV IRIB, US attacks near an Ahvaz hospital with a paediatric cancer centre forced its evacuation. IRIB said that families had gathered around the hospital to care for their children.
After the initial wave, Tehran’s top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Iranian security hinged on “Iranian arrangements” in the strait.
“We are in an essential and existential war with America,” Qalibaf stated.
The war has killed thousands and displaced millions, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, where Israel and Hezbollah resumed fighting. Tasnim reported that a health ministry official confirmed the deaths of 35 individuals in US attacks in July.
Trump insists Iran wants to settle, reiterating his victory over Iran since the US-Israel conflict began on February 28. Their defeat is imminent.”
Trump said at a Pennsylvania Defence and Innovation Summit discussion that the Iranians want to “settle so badly”.
They dislike what we’re doing and want to settle. Trump said they’ll see if they settle or finish it.
On Tuesday, Trump said US negotiators told Iran, “You better make a deal.”
The Strait of Hormuz could only be reopened if the US followed the 14-point memorandum of agreement reached in June and “Iranian regulations” on ship traffic, according to Iran’s military spokeswoman.
Goodwill may have existed despite the war. Iran let an American “wrongfully detained” by the Biden administration in 2024 depart, Trump tweeted.
“The United States of America appreciates this gesture of goodwill by Iran,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Human rights attorney Jared Genser identified the released American as Dena Karari, who had been barred from leaving Iran since December 2024.
Genser thanked Trump on X for freeing Dena, saying she was safe and returning to the US.
