US strikes resume after weekend exchange

The United States military said it was conducting new strikes against Iran on Tuesday, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) positions. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement that American forces began striking IRGC targets at 12:00 ET (16:00 GMT), according to multiple reports.

The strikes came after CENTCOM accused the IRGC of "recent attempted attacks" against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region. The announcement was posted on X by US Central Command, as reported by The Canberra Times.

Tuesday's action follows an exchange of attacks on Sunday, when the US military struck Larak Island in southern Iran and Tehran retaliated with missile launches against a base housing American troops in Jordan. That fighting marked the first direct attacks by both countries since July, according to Al Jazeera and BBC reports.

Trump threatens further retaliation

US President Donald Trump confirmed the strikes, describing them as "large and powerful" and saying they were in response to Iran's "failed attempt at adding sea mines" to the Strait of Hormuz and to Tehran shooting eight missiles at a US military base in Jordan. Trump threatened further attacks if Iran retaliated, saying Iran would be hit again at "a much harder and higher level." He added: "It will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings and, when it is over, there will be very little left of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi responded that severe punishment awaited the US and that the country would regret the new attacks, according to BBC reporting.

Explosions reported in southern Iran

Iranian semi-official news agency Tasnim reported explosions in the south of the country, including in Konarak, Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, as reported by Al Jazeera and BBC. Iran's state broadcaster also said there had been reports of explosions on Qeshm Island, and Nour News reported explosions in Bandar Abbas and Chabahar, according to The Canberra Times. Iranian state media reported the country's deputy governor for security as saying four projectiles had hit the counties of Chabahar and Konarak, as cited by BBC.

Iranian state television also reported that the US had struck the civilian airport in the city of Jiroft in Iran's southern Kerman province, according to TASS. Press TV reported several blasts rocked Iran's southern coast, including Qeshm Island and a number of coastal cities. CENTCOM said earlier that a series of strikes had been delivered on targets in Iran, TASS reported.

Strait of Hormuz in focus

The latest escalation comes amid a US naval siege on Iranian ports and threats of secondary sanctions on Tehran's trade partners, as reported by Al Jazeera. Iran has asserted control over the Strait of Hormuz, a major artery for global energy trade, but US officials have said they are managing to get millions of barrels of oil through the strait daily despite the Iranian blockade.

On Monday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said an oil tanker was hit by three "unknown projectiles" while transiting the strait, according to Al Jazeera.