Trump Declares Iran Ceasefire 'Over' as US Launches Fresh Strikes

President Donald Trump declared an interim ceasefire with Iran "over" on Wednesday, prompting the United States to launch a new wave of military strikes against the country. This action marks a significant escalation of the conflict, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The latest US operation specifically targeted Iran's capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the critical Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated the strikes aimed to degrade Iran's ability to disrupt freedom of navigation, holding Tehran accountable for what Washington described as recent unjustified aggression against commercial vessels and civilian crews.

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We hit them very hard last night. We'll probably hit them hard again tonight.

"The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway," CENTCOM said in a statement. Trump, speaking at the NATO summit in Turkey, indicated further strikes were likely, threatening to target additional Iranian civilian infrastructure, including power plants and oil export hubs.

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The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway.

Iranian authorities responded with strong warnings, vowing to close the Strait of Hormuz if further US military action occurred. State-affiliated media reported Tehran's commitment to retaliate against any future attacks on a "two to one" ratio. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf rejected what he called US "bullying and extortion," asserting, "The era of bullying and extortion is over."

This escalation follows earlier reports of Iranian missile attacks on US facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain. International mediators, including Pakistan which helped broker the initial ceasefire, urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint and uphold their commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also appealed for de-escalation and renewed diplomatic engagement.

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The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We don't fold.