US launches new strikes against Iran, citing 'ongoing aggression'

The United States has launched a new wave of "self-defense strikes" against multiple targets within Iran, according to the U.S. Central Command (Centcom). The strikes commenced after midnight, Finnish time, and are framed by Centcom as a direct response to Iran's "unprovoked and ongoing aggression."

Explosions have been reported across various parts of Iran, with Iranian media relaying the information to the Reuters news agency. This escalation follows President Donald Trump's earlier statements indicating that the U.S. would conduct further strikes against Iran.

The immediate catalyst for the renewed U.S. action appears to be the downing of a U.S. Apache attack helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States holds Iran responsible for the incident, which prompted retaliatory strikes by the U.S. earlier in the week.

Centcom announced the new strikes via the social media platform X, emphasizing their defensive nature in response to perceived Iranian aggression.