Airstrikes on Iranian Targets
The United States launched fresh airstrikes on Iranian targets in and around the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday evening, according to Deutsche Welle. The strikes came after a weekend exchange of fire that had raised fears of a wider conflict.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the strikes, saying they were in response to "recent attempted attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region." CENTCOM posted on X that US forces began striking IRGC targets in Iran at 12 m. ET (1600 GMT) on Tuesday.
Iranian state television reported explosions in Bandar Abbas city, Qeshm Island, and Lavan Island, with The Guardian noting reports of explosions on Qeshm Island and the state-linked Nour News reporting explosions in Bandar Abbas and Chabahar. State television also reported a strike on Jiroft airport in southeastern Iran, about 300 kilometers inland from the Strait of Hormuz, according to Deutsche Welle.
Official Statements and Threats
US President Donald Trump described the strikes as "large and powerful" and said they were retaliation for "failed" Iranian attempts to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz and the firing of "eight missiles" towards a US military base in Jordan, all of which he claimed were shot down.
Trump warned on social media: "If the failed Nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level." The Guardian also reported Trump's warning that Iran "will be hit again at a much harder and higher level."
An IRGC spokesman, quoted by the Fars state news agency, said the US would "regret" its latest attacks, according to Deutsche Welle. Iran's joint military command said its forces would deliver "crushing and devastating blows" against the US, and the Tasnim news agency reported that a "decisive operation by Iran's armed forces in response to the US enemy has begun," as reported by Deutsche Welle.
Economic Measures and Oil Prices
Oil prices rose in the wake of the latest attacks, with US crude up by as much as 5%, according to Deutsche Welle. The Guardian noted that oil prices had already risen after the weekend exchange and reports of tankers being hit leaving the Strait of Hormuz.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US planned to announce a bank sanction this week and one the next week, and was considering actions against airplane leasing companies and others doing business with the IRGC. "We are going to economically asphyxiate this regime," Bessent said, as reported by Deutsche Welle.
Iranian Response and Diplomacy
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would reciprocate any US move signaling a return to the collapsed interim ceasefire deal, and accused Washington of "reneging on its commitments," according to Deutsche Welle. The Guardian also reported Pezeshkian's comments about reciprocating if the US honored commitments under a June memorandum of understanding.
Iranian officials issued further warnings. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said, "If the enemy wants us not to export oil from the Persian Gulf, no one will be able to export oil," and Esmaeil Baghaei said Washington was "addicted to making excessive demands," as reported by The Guardian.
Pezeshkian met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Putin reportedly expressed solidarity with Iran and said the two countries would maintain economic relationships, according to Deutsche Welle.