Christina Shaw
The US military launches strikes against Iran for a second consecutive day, an escalation that puts new strain on a ceasefire arrangement already showing cracks. US Central Command said the fresh strikes target Iranian capability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, following attacks on commercial vessels in the waterway.
Centcom Cites Threats to Shipping Lanes
"At the direction of the Commander in Chief, US Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," Centcom said in a social media post. The statement pointed to recent attacks on vessels in the strait as justification, adding that "the United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway."
The strikes followed remarks from President Donald Trump at the NATO summit in Turkey, where he said the US would probably strike Iran again. Tuesday's initial round of attacks came alongside a decision to revoke a waiver that had allowed Tehran to sell oil on global markets, a move the administration framed as retaliation for the shipping attacks it blames on Iran.
Iran Signals Retaliation
An Iranian adviser to the country's supreme leader posted on X earlier Wednesday that Tehran would deliver an "immediate response" after Trump's threat. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had already struck military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain in response to Tuesday's US attacks. Both governments have accused one another of violating the memorandum of understanding that established the short term truce and opened a 60 day window for talks toward a broader peace deal.
Trump Calls Ceasefire's Status Into Question
Trump has also threatened to resume a blockade of Iranian ports and floated further escalation, including strikes on infrastructure such as desalination plants and power stations. Earlier Wednesday he said he believed the ceasefire was
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