US Strikes Iran Again, Explosions Heard Near Strait of Hormuz

The United States has launched new strikes on Iran, with explosions reported near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian media reports, explosions were heard in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, and the towns of Minab and Sirik. Iranian sources reported enemy projectile strikes on Qeshm and the towns of Kargan and Sirik.

US forces earlier acknowledged conducting strikes against Iran, stating the action was in response to unprovoked Iranian attacks. “American forces initiated additional self-defence strikes today at 5.15 pm ET against multiple targets in Iran,” US Central Command said in a post on X. “The strikes are in response to Iran’s unprovoked and continued aggression,” it added.

President Donald Trump had previously expressed frustration with Iran for what he considered prolonged negotiations to reach a peace deal. Trump declared there was a price to be paid for stalling. “The Middle East Bully is DEAD!!! They negotiated too long for a deal that would have been greatly to their benefit, now they have to pay the price!!!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. This latest stance contrasts with optimism expressed earlier in the week, when Trump stated negotiations to end the war were in their final stage and could be concluded within days.

On Tuesday evening, US forces said they had carried out strikes against Iran in retaliation for the downing of an American helicopter on Monday, with Iranian media reporting blasts along its southern coast. US Central Command subsequently said its Air Force and Navy command and control, defence, and surveillance stations were operational. Iran stated it had struck American bases in Jordan and Bahrain on Wednesday.