US launches new wave of strikes on Iran; Tehran says attacks render diplomacy 'futile'

The United States launched another series of strikes against Iran on Sunday evening, aiming to degrade Tehran's capacity to attack commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command announced the strikes began at 2100 GMT, following approximately 140 strikes the previous night. Iran state media reported multiple "enemy projectiles" hitting Qeshm Island and strikes on Farur Island, resulting in one death and two injuries. Kuwait also reported damage to border posts and an offshore platform. Tehran claimed it targeted two ships in Hormuz early Sunday, one of which caught fire, and also hit Oman. Iran's Guards stated they also hit Oman, an area rarely targeted previously. This exchange marks an escalation in pace and range, with Iran extending its attacks to Qatar and the UAE, which had not been targeted since April and early May, respectively. The renewed violence casts significant doubt on the future of an interim US-Iranian agreement signed last month, which sought to reopen the strait and end the war after 60 days of negotiations. Iran's foreign ministry stated that the latest attacks had "rendered futile" diplomatic efforts, accusing the U.S. of causing insecurity and disrupting international shipping. Former President Trump, in a phone interview, commented on the U.S. strikes, stating, "We're beating them up."

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We’re beating ⁠them up