US, Iran trade new strikes amid Gulf tensions; Trump warns of 'finishing the job'

The United States launched new strikes on Iranian military targets Sunday, accusing Tehran of violating a truce by attacking a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Shortly after, Iran announced it had struck U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, describing the action as a response to the U.S. attacks.

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Iran had the opportunity to respect the ceasefire agreement... but chose not to.

The exchange of strikes between the U.S. and Iran is once again amplifying tensions in the Gulf. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that Iran had the opportunity to respect the ceasefire agreement following American strikes on Friday but "chose not to." According to the U.S. military, American aircraft hit military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, anti-aircraft defense positions, drone depots, and facilities used for laying naval mines.

The U.S. attacks came after Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps struck a Singapore-flagged commercial vessel with a drone on Thursday in the Strait of Hormuz. The ship's command bridge was damaged, but there were no casualties. The International Maritime Organization temporarily suspended its plan to evacuate ships stranded in the Persian Gulf, citing the need for additional safety guarantees.

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U.S. aircraft struck Iranian drone and missile depots, as well as coastal radars, for another violation of the ceasefire agreement.

This incident cast doubt on a recent agreement between Washington and Tehran aimed at resuming commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route. Former President Donald Trump confirmed the U.S. attacks on Truth Social, stating they were ordered because Iran had violated the truce. "U.S. aircraft struck Iranian drone and missile depots, as well as coastal radars, for another violation of the ceasefire agreement," Trump wrote. He warned that if Iran continued to violate the truce, the U.S. military might "finish the job" against the Islamic Republic.

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if Iran continues to violate the truce, the U.S. military might 'finish the job' against the Islamic Republic.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced it had attacked eight U.S. military targets, including Ali al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the U.S. Fifth Fleet base in Port Salman, Bahrain. Iranian authorities claimed that any new aggression against Iranian territory, regardless of its scale, would receive a "crushing response." As of now, U.S. authorities have not reported casualties, major damage, or other significant effects from the attacks claimed by Iran.

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any new aggression against Iranian territory, regardless of its scale, would receive a 'crushing response.'