US and Iran Trade Most Intense Strikes Since Ceasefire Extension
The United States and Iran have exchanged their most intense series of strikes since the signing of a ceasefire memorandum on June 17, raising fears that the fragile truce could collapse. The escalation, which unfolded over several days, saw the US launch attacks on Iranian targets while Iran retaliated against US assets in Gulf states.
The US military's Central Command said it hit about 90 targets in Iran, releasing footage of strikes on missile launchers and an airport runway, as reported by The Guardian. The strikes were described as an effort to "further degrade" Iran's capacity to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for approximately 20% of the world's traded oil and gas.
Al Jazeera reported that the US initially launched attacks on 85 targets in Iran on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, following Iranian strikes on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated by targeting US military assets and infrastructure in Gulf states on Wednesday, according to both Al Jazeera and The Hindu. This prompted further US strikes on 90 Iranian targets.
The Hindu reported that two days of US strikes have killed 14 people and left 78 injured, citing Iran's Health Ministry. The ministry's head, Kermanpour, said that "of the injured, the rest have been discharged after receiving medical care." Al Jazeera also reported that the US launched new airstrikes against Iran early on July 9.
The strikes represent the most intense exchange of hostilities since the memorandum of understanding was signed on June 17. That deal, which triggered a 60-day negotiation period, was intended to extend the ceasefire and allow for talks on a lasting peace agreement.
Key Claims and Context
In the aftermath of the strikes, a US official told Al Jazeera that Washington remains committed to negotiations with Tehran and that technical talks for a permanent peace deal will continue. This statement came despite President Donald Trump's earlier remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, in which he said he thought the memorandum was "over," though he added that he would allow peace talks to continue for now, calling them a "waste of time." In an angry tirade, he referred to Iranian leadership as "scum."
Trump later appeared to soften his stance, telling reporters on Air Force One that returning to full-scale war was not the goal. He said Tehran "wants to make a deal."
The strikes have repeatedly threatened the ceasefire since the memorandum of understanding was signed on June 17, which established a 60-day negotiation period. The Hindu reported that sirens sounded in Bahrain, home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, as well as in Kuwait and Qatar, as Iranian missiles targeted those areas.
Iran accused the US of war crimes, claiming that two bridges in the eastern provinces leading to the city of Mashhad were struck, as reported by The Guardian. The US has not commented on these specific allegations.
Perspectives
US position: A US official told Al Jazeera that despite the attacks, Washington remains committed to negotiations with Tehran and that technical talks for a lasting peace deal will continue. President Donald Trump initially said the MoU was "over" but later stated that a return to full-scale war was not the goal, adding that Tehran "wants to make a deal."
Iranian position: Iran has accused the US of war crimes, with reports of strikes on civilian infrastructure including bridges in eastern provinces. The strikes also reportedly hit targets that Iran claimed were civilian, further escalating tensions.
Ceasefire context: The memorandum signed on June 17 agreed to a 60-day negotiation period, yet attacks have continued since its signing. Significant gaps remain between the two countries over issues such as Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz and inspections of nuclear facilities, according to The Guardian.
A US official told Al Jazeera that Washington remains committed to negotiations with Tehran and that technical talks for a lasting peace deal will continue. President Donald Trump, however, was reported by Al Jazeera to have told journalists in Turkey that he believed the memorandum was "over," while later adding on Air Force One that Tehran "wants to make a deal."
Iran has accused the US of war crimes, alleging that strikes hit two bridges in eastern provinces leading to the city of Mashhad. The US has stated the strikes were intended to protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, following Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the waterway.