US launches third night of attacks on Iran as Trump reimposes port sanctions

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated dramatically as the United States carried out a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, while President Donald Trump reinstated sanctions on Iranian ports. The US military reported a five-hour operation targeting various locations across Iran, including the coastal areas of Bushehr and Bandar Abbas, with the stated goal of weakening Iran's capacity to assault commercial shipping.

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We will strike them very hard tonight, and we will strike them even harder tomorrow.

Following the US strikes, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it had launched missiles and drones toward Bahrain. The targets included a residential building occupied by military personnel and other facilities. President Trump, speaking from the White House, vowed intensified retaliation, stating, "We will strike them very hard tonight, and we will strike them even harder tomorrow."

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US military operations targeted several locations across Iran, including the coastal areas of Bushehr and Bandar Abbas, to weaken Iran's capability to attack commercial vessels.

The reimposition of sanctions on the Strait of Hormuz by Trump follows a period of heightened conflict not seen since the April ceasefire in the West Asian conflict, casting doubt on efforts to achieve a lasting peace. Iran had initially begun restricting passage through the Strait of Hormuz after US and Israeli attacks on February 28, leading to US sanctions on Iranian ports. These sanctions were later eased following an initial agreement in June. However, Trump's announcement that the US is now controlling the Strait of Hormuz and will impose a 20 percent tariff on all cargo ships transiting the route has drawn sharp criticism from Iran, which accused Washington of piracy.

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Iran began blocking the Strait of Hormuz after US and Israeli attacks on February 28, which led Washington to impose sanctions on the country's ports.

The escalating conflict has significantly impacted global markets, with oil prices surging over nine percent on Monday and rising further on Tuesday due to fears of a wider confrontation. Iran has also launched attacks against other US allies in the region, including Jordan, which reported intercepting four Iranian missiles. The Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed its attacks targeted US military personnel at an airbase and urged Jordan to demand the removal of American military bases from the region. The White House confirmed that Trump had officially notified Congress of the resumption of military operations against Iran, granting the Pentagon an additional 60 days to conduct operations without requiring congressional approval.

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Trump on Monday said that the US is now taking over the Strait of Hormuz and will impose a 20 percent charge on all cargo ships passing through the route, an announcement that drew sarcasm from Iran besides accusing Washington of piracy.