The United States conducted fresh airstrikes against Iranian targets early Thursday, hours after President Donald Trump publicly stated that a fragile ceasefire with Iran was “over” and lashed out at Iranian leadership.
According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes targeted Iranian air defense systems, command-and-control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities, and dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) small boats in and near the Strait of Hormuz.
The operation was described as a response to Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the critical waterway, which handles a significant portion of global oil shipments.
Speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday, Trump declared the interim ceasefire part of a broader memorandum of understanding aimed at de-escalating months of conflict effectively finished.
“To me, I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them anymore. They’re scum,” Trump said, referring to Iran’s leaders. He described them as “sick people” and “liars,” while emphasizing that any further military action would be swift and decisive.
In a subsequent social media post, Trump framed the U.S. strikes as “retribution” for attacks on commercial shipping and warned: “If it happens again, it will get much worse!”
Despite the escalation, Trump indicated openness to negotiations and stated he did not anticipate a return to full-scale war, expecting any flare-up to “go very quickly.”
Iranian state media reported explosions in southeastern port cities.
Tehran responded by launching attacks on U.S.-allied targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. Iranian officials warned of further retaliation.
The back-and-forth has raised oil prices and heightened concerns about freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Casualties have been reported on the Iranian side from recent strikes.
This latest round of strikes follows a pattern of intermittent clashes since an interim ceasefire was reached earlier in 2026.
Tensions have centered on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile programs, support for regional proxies, and disruptions to maritime traffic.
Administrator and Writer
