US launches fresh strikes on Iran as Trump vows to hit 'hard'

The United States has launched fresh waves of strikes against Iran, targeting what it says are Tehran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes come after President Donald Trump declared the fragile ceasefire with Iran over, vowing to hit the regime "hard" following Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the critical waterway.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the operations, stating that the strikes are designed to "degrade the ability of Iranian forces to threaten freedom of navigation" in the strait, through which a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas normally flows. The command also said the United States is "holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping."

Coverage comparison

Across international media, the narrative of the escalating US-Iran conflict is broadly consistent, though outlets emphasise different angles. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC Australia) focused on Iran's economic resilience despite US strikes, reporting that Tehran has positioned itself to "rake in billions" from oil sales. Al Jazeera highlighted the military escalation, noting that the US has launched a new wave of strikes and that Iran insists the Strait of Hormuz is closed, while President Trump declared it open. Deutsche Welle (DW) reported that the escalation follows the collapse of a fragile truce, with strikes targeting missile and coastal defense sites, and also noted fresh security warnings from Bahrain and Kuwait. The Guardian and South China Morning Post focused on CENTCOM's confirmation of strikes and Iran's Mehr news agency reports of explosions in port cities, while The Hindu also reported on the strikes and the surge in oil prices.

Key claims

The US military has carried out multiple rounds of strikes against Iran over consecutive nights, with one report describing it as the 10th consecutive night of attacks. These strikes have targeted Iranian missile and coastal defense sites, air-defense systems, and coastal radar sites, as reported by DW and CENTCOM announcements. Iranian media, including the Mehr news agency, reported explosions in the port cities of Bandar Abbas, Konarak, and Chabahar, as well as in Sirik, Qeshm Island, and Isfahan, according to multiple outlets.

President Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran "over" and vowed to hit Iran "hard," with The Hindu quoting him as saying, "We're going to hit them very hard tonight, and we're going to hit them hard tomorrow." Earlier, at a Nato summit in Ankara, he said, "We're gonna hit 'em hard tonight. They violate the agreement every day." He also expressed optimism that a deal with Tehran was still possible, saying that "anything that happens is going to be over very quickly."

Iran has retaliated with attacks on Gulf states. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have launched ground-to-ground missiles at "US HIMARS missile systems" stationed at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, and also claimed to have hit and disabled two "offending supertankers" in the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by The Hindu citing Iranian media. DW reported that Iran claimed attacks on targets in Bahrain, including facilities linked to the US military, and that Bahrain and Kuwait issued security warnings and reported intercepting hostile drones from Iran. Kuwait's Defense Ministry said its army intercepted 32 Iranian drones, though some attacks caused damage to "several critical institutions," with debris landing in civilian neighborhoods.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint. Iran insists on controlling the strait, saying it will charge fees for passage and threatening to hit vessels that deviate from its authorised route, while the US has reinstated a naval blockade and declared the waterway open. Iran responded by warning it could disrupt more regional energy exports.

Oil prices have surged amid the renewed conflict, with The Hindu reporting a jump of more than 9% early Tuesday, and another report noting an eight percent increase after Trump's comments that the ceasefire was "over." ABC Australia reported that despite US restrictions, Iran has generated more than $US23 billion from oil sales in the first half of 2026, exceeding its own pre-war forecasts by about 30%. The report noted that the US blockade had forced Iran to store oil, but with the blockade lifted, Tehran unlocked its stored oil and its shadow fleet can now sail, selling sanctioned oil at a discount of about $US53 a barrel.

Perspectives

United States (Trump administration and CENTCOM): The US maintains that its strikes are defensive, aimed at degrading Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping and threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump has repeatedly blamed Iran for violating the memorandum of understanding and has vowed to respond forcefully, while also leaving the door open to a deal. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Iran "continues to talk to the United States" and that a deal is not off the table, despite the strikes.

Iran (IRGC and foreign ministry): Iran has insisted on its right to control the Strait of Hormuz and has retaliated against US strikes by launching missiles at US military sites in the region and attacking Gulf states. The IRGC claimed strikes on US HIMARS systems in Kuwait and on supertankers in the strait. Iran's foreign ministry, in other reporting, condemned the reinstatement of sanctions as a breach of the memorandum of understanding and said Washington would bear responsibility for the consequences.

Gulf states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE): Gulf states have been caught in the crossfire, issuing security warnings and intercepting Iranian drones and missiles. Bahrain and Kuwait have both reported hostile attacks and urged citizens to follow official guidance. Qatar, a mediator in ceasefire talks, was also targeted, and the UAE said its air defenses engaged missiles and drones from Iran, according to South China Morning Post.

United Nations (Antonio Guterres): The UN chief called on all parties to exercise "maximum restraint," as did mediators Pakistan and Qatar, according to The Hindu.