President Donald Trump stated that recent US military strikes against Iran were conducted with significant force to honor three American service members killed in Jordan and Iraq. US Central Command reported its ninth consecutive night of operations, targeting Iranian military infrastructure and communication hubs to limit attacks on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation, Iran claimed to have launched strikes in Syria and at an airport in Jordan, while Kuwaiti forces reported intercepting Iranian drones.
Reports from Iran’s Tasnim news agency identified several cities affected by the US strikes, including Tabriz and Chabahar. Additionally, Iranian state media claimed two oil tankers were destroyed while navigating the Strait of Hormuz, an assertion disputed by US Central Command. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened further punitive measures and vowed to close the strait to energy shipments as long as the US continues its current military campaign.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed that the US remains open to diplomacy, though he emphasized that the international community must address Iran’s efforts to control vital shipping lanes. Tensions have continued to rise since a previous ceasefire agreement collapsed, with diplomatic efforts currently stalled.
