The U.S. military announced new
strikes against Iran on Wednesday evening, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the ceasefire deadline had expired. The military escalation followed Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
"At the direction of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormu. The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway," CENTCOM said in a statement posted on social media.
President Donald Trump also wrote on Truth Social: "This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!"
Iran's state news agency IRNA reported explosions in several cities along the country's southern coast near the Strait of Hormuz, including Bandar Abbas, home to Iran's largest port as well as key facilities of the Iranian Navy and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The strikes also hit the cities of Chabahar, Konarak, and Sirik, as well as Lavan Island. Parts of Chabahar lost power.
According to the state broadcaster IRIB, two piers and the city's maritime control tower were targeted. State-run Press TV reported explosions at the terminal building and runway of the airport in Iranshahr, in southeastern Iran. According to IRNA, one firefighter was killed at the airport, while the air traffic control building and the meteorological station were damaged. According to the Tasnim News Agency, a missile damaged a railway bridge in northern Iran.
Explosions were also heard in Bushehr, the port city where Iran's nuclear power plant, being expanded in cooperation with Russia, is located. Nour News, affiliated with Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said the facility was not damaged. Citing a military source, the agency reported that Iran would soon resume "massive attacks" on U.S. military bases across the region.
