US launches fresh strikes on Iran as hostilities flare in Strait of Hormuz

Explosions were heard again in Bandar Abbas and on Qeshm island as hostilities returned to the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state television also reported blasts on Lavan island, which is home to one of Iran’s Gulf oil export terminals. Oil prices rose after the strikes, with US crude gaining as much as 5%.

The US military’s Central Command confirmed the attacks. It said they responded to recent attempted attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps against commercial shipping in the strait and against American service members deployed in the region.

President Donald Trump described the strikes as “large and powerful” retaliation for what he called failed Iranian attempts to lay mines in the waterway and fire eight missiles at a US base in Jordan. He warned that Iran would face an even stronger attack if it retaliated. “If the failed Nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level,” Trump wrote on social media. “But it will not be the biggest attack of them all. That is waiting in the wings.”

“

If the failed Nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level.

Iranian officials quickly threatened reprisals. An IRGC spokesman said the United States would “regret” the attacks. Iranian state television said the strikes included Jiroft airport in southeastern Iran, about 300 kilometers inland from the strait. Iran’s joint military command promised “crushing and devastating blows” against the United States, while state media reported operations against unspecified US targets in the region. Tasnim said Iranian missiles and drones were targeting US bases and interests.

The confrontation also moved toward economic pressure. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington planned new sanctions, including a possible bank sanction in the same week and another the following week. He said airplane leasing companies and other firms doing business with the IRGC could also face action, adding, “We have zero tolerance. We are going to economically asphyxiate this regime.” The latest escalation came hours after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would respond to any US move suggesting a return to the collapsed interim ceasefire.

“

We have zero tolerance. We are going to economically asphyxiate this regime.