U.S. strikes Iran for second straight day amid Strait of Hormuz tensions
(Bloomberg) — The U.S. military launched a second consecutive day of strikes against Iran on Wednesday, targeting additional military infrastructure after attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, further escalating tensions and casting doubt on prospects for renewed negotiations.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the latest operation was carried out under orders from President Donald Trump to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway.
"At the direction of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM said in a statement, adding that the operation was intended to hold Iran accountable for attacks on commercial shipping and civilian crews.
The latest strikes follow Tuesday's U.S. operation targeting more than 80 Iranian military sites after attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. According to U.S. officials, Wednesday's operation targeted additional military infrastructure, including coastal facilities used to support threats against maritime traffic.
The renewed military action comes after Trump declared earlier Wednesday that the tentative U.S.-Iran ceasefire was effectively over and warned that further strikes were likely.
Iran has vowed to respond. An adviser to the country's supreme leader warned of an "immediate response," while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had targeted U.S. military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain following Tuesday's strikes.
The latest escalation further undermines diplomatic efforts that had begun after a June memorandum of understanding temporarily reduced hostilities. Negotiations remain suspended while Iran observes a weeklong funeral period for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The conflict continues to heighten uncertainty for global energy markets and commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for crude oil and LNG exports, after attacks on merchant vessels prompted the latest U.S. military response.
