US launches new wave of strikes against Iran as Tehran says diplomacy has proven ‘futile’

The United States military has initiated a new series of strikes targeting Iran, intensifying the ongoing confrontation near the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command (Centcom) announced on X that the strikes, which began Sunday at 9 p.m. GMT, are intended to "continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz." President Donald Trump stated that he "has directed the strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable" and declared, "We’re beating them ​up."

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to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran responded by condemning the U.S. actions, with its foreign ministry asserting that the strikes had "rendered futile all efforts of the past few months to reduce tension and establish peace in the West Asian region." Tehran also accused the U.S. of causing insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz and disrupting global commercial shipping. The ministry further claimed that U.S. pressure prevented a productive outcome from talks between Iran and Oman on Saturday in Muscat, which focused on managing the strait.

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has directed the strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable.

This latest barrage marks an escalation in the pace and range of attacks, following Iran's targeting of U.S. facilities across the Gulf earlier on Sunday. Centcom reported approximately 140 strikes on Saturday night. Iran had previously closed the strait, casting doubt on an interim truce agreement. While Centcom noted some ships continued to cross, Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, posted on X, "The era of one-sided deals is OVER. We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking."

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We’re beating them ​up.

The conflict, which began in late February, has already sent shockwaves through the global economy, driving up energy prices. The interim agreement between Washington and Tehran aimed to reopen the Hormuz strait and end the war after 60 days of negotiations.

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rendered futile all efforts of the past few months to reduce tension and establish peace in the West Asian region.