US Launches Fresh Strikes After Iran Attacks Ships in Strait of Hormuz
United States forces launched a second consecutive night of military strikes against targets inside Iran, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced late Wednesday. The operation represents a sharp escalation in tensions, threatening to permanently dissolve a fragile, months-long ceasefire between the two nations.
United States forces launched a second consecutive night of military strikes against targets inside Iran, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced late Wednesday. The operation represents a sharp escalation in tensions, threatening to permanently dissolve a fragile, months-long ceasefire between the two nations. According to a statement released by CENTCOM on social media, the additional strikes were ordered by President Donald Trump. The military action aims to "further degrade [Iran’s] ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," following recent attacks attributed to Tehran against commercial vessels in the region.
While CENTCOM has not yet provided specific details regarding the exact locations or scale of the operations, Iranian state media reported hearing explosions across multiple cities, including the strategic southern port city of Bandar Abbas. Donald Trump Declares US Ceasefire With Iran ‘Over’.
The renewed bombardment followed warnings issued by President Trump earlier Wednesday at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where he told reporters, "We're going to hit them hard tonight." Trump subsequently posted on Truth Social, warning that the situation "will get much worse" if Iranian forces continue to target commercial shipping. However, the U.S. president noted he does not anticipate a full-fledged war.
In response to the American operations, Iran’s state-run Press TV, citing an informed source, reported that Tehran is prepared to close the vital Strait of Hormuz and retaliate by striking twice as many targets if the U.S. attacks persist.
The conflict rapidly re-escalated earlier this week after the Trump administration blamed Iran for attacks on three commercial oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday and Tuesday. The U.S. retaliated Tuesday night by striking dozens of internal Iranian targets and revoking a sanctions waiver that had previously permitted Iran to sell oil globally. Iran responded by launching drone and missile strikes directed toward U.S.-allied installations in Kuwait and Bahrain. Donald Trump Warns Iran of Fresh Strikes After Declaring Ceasefire 'Over' (Watch Video).
US Launches New Military Strikes After Iranian Ship Attacks
US military says it's carrying out another round of strikes after Iran attacked ships in Strait of Hormuz a day earlier, reports AP. pic.twitter.com/nJNkgPLo2J
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 9, 2026
This current cycle of violence severely compromises recent diplomatic efforts. Just last month, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding to extend a volatile, three-month ceasefire by an additional 60 days. The deal was designed to safely reopen the Strait of Hormuz, halt the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, and lay the groundwork for high-level talks concerning Iran’s nuclear program.
With more than 20 U.S. Navy warships actively patrolling Middle Eastern waters, President Trump declared the status of the truce heavily fractured. When asked by reporters about the standing of the peace agreement, Trump stated, "As far as I'm concerned, it's over."
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 09, 2026 07:27 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
