US renews strikes on Iran as Trump threatens to attack underground nuclear site

The United States launched airstrikes on Iran for the 11th consecutive night late on Tuesday, as Tehran warned against targeting its nuclear facilities, according to the BBC. US Central Command said the strikes were "designed to continue degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping" in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported that air defences were activated in the capital Tehran, with explosions also reported in Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, and Bushehr, home to Iran's only nuclear power plant.

Coverage comparison

Reporting from the BBC and the Jerusalem Post broadly aligns on the scope and intent of the US strikes, though each outlet emphasizes different aspects. The BBC focuses on the consecutive nature of the strikes and the ongoing threat to commercial shipping, while the Jerusalem Post, citing three anonymous US officials, frames the operations as "shaping operations" that also aim to destroy capabilities the US would need to neutralize before executing more complex operations against Iran.

Key claims

  • The US military has targeted Iranian air defense systems, coastal radar, missile and drone sites as well as small boats and other maritime assets, as reported by both the BBC and the Jerusalem Post.
  • US strikes aimed at forcing open the Strait of Hormuz are also targeting Iranian military capabilities the US would want to destroy before executing more complex operations against Iran, according to three US officials cited by the Jerusalem Post.
  • Tehran retains significant drone and missile capability and has attacked passing tankers as well as its Gulf neighbors, a claim carried by the Jerusalem Post.
  • President Trump has kept the world guessing about his next steps after notifying Congress last weekend of a formal resumption of conflict with Iran, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • US officials discussed sending ground forces to Iran's Kharg Island, the hub for 90% of Iran's oil exports, according to the Jerusalem Post.
  • The US launched strikes on Iran for the 11th consecutive night, reported by the BBC.
  • Iranian state media reported that air defences were activated in the capital Tehran, a claim carried by the BBC.
  • US Central Command said the wave of strikes were designed to continue degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by the BBC.
  • The war with Iran has cost the US some $37.5bn so far, according to the BBC.

Perspectives

US

US Central Command said the strikes were designed to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The Jerusalem Post, citing three US officials granted anonymity to discuss military matters, reported that the strikes also strengthen additional military options for President Trump, who has kept the world guessing about his next steps after notifying Congress of a formal resumption of conflict. President Trump said the next military target could be an underground nuclear site near Natanz, known as Pickaxe Mountain. "We'll be hitting that area pretty soon, and very heavily," he said, addressing reporters during a White House meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, as reported by the BBC.

Iran

Iran warned the US against targeting its nuclear facilities, according to the BBC. Iranian state media reported that air defences were activated in Tehran and explosions were heard in several cities, including Bushehr, home to Iran's only nuclear power plant. Iran has retaliated against the US and its Middle East allies, the BBC reported, and has attacked passing tankers as well as its Gulf neighbors, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Regional allies

Kuwait's army said early on Wednesday that its air defences were engaging with drone attacks from Iran, while Bahrain and Jordan said they had also intercepted drone and missile strikes, the BBC reported.