Trump orders new Iran strikes as Tehran declares ‘full-scale war’ against US

The United States has launched another round of military strikes against Iran, intensifying the conflict between the two countries after US President Donald Trump vowed retaliation for the deaths of three American service members in recent attacks blamed on Tehran.

The latest operation, carried out by US Central Command (CENTCOM), marked the tenth consecutive night of strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure. 

According to the US military, the attacks focused on command centres, missile and drone launch sites, maritime capabilities and air defence systems in an effort to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Explosions were reported in several parts of Iran, including near the north-western city of Tabriz and the Gulf ports of Bandar Mahshahr, Bandar Imam Khomeini, Chabahar and Konarak. Iranian state media reported that at least one person was killed and several others were injured in Tabriz, while damage assessments in other affected areas were still ongoing.

Trump said the strikes were carried out in response to the deaths of three US service members killed during recent Iranian attacks. Two of the soldiers have been identified as Private Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Texas, and Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Hawaii, who died following an Iranian strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. US officials said a third service member also died after initially being reported missing.

“Our response will be decisive,” Trump said, adding that Iran had been hit “very hard” during previous operations and warning that further attacks on American personnel would trigger additional military action.

Iran responded by claiming responsibility for attacks on two oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz and strikes targeting US military assets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. State news agency IRNA also reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched cruise missiles at what it described as an Amazon data centre in Bahrain.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that the country was now engaged in a “full-scale war” with the United States, accusing Washington of escalating the conflict through sustained military operations.

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The confrontation has also heightened concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a commercial tanker had been struck by an unidentified projectile while passing through the waterway, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel and seek safety in lifeboats. It remains unclear whether the tanker was one of those mentioned by Iranian authorities.

Despite the growing tensions, Centcom maintained that commercial vessels continued to transit the Strait of Hormuz, although shipping activity has declined amid fears of further attacks. Maritime intelligence data also indicated a reduction in the number of vessels using the route over recent days.

Elsewhere in the region, Jordan announced it had intercepted five Iranian drones after previously shooting down three missiles. Bahrain said drones launched from Iran had targeted its air navigation systems but caused no disruption to air traffic, while Kuwait confirmed its armed forces intercepted additional drones entering its airspace.

Although military operations continue, Iranian officials said indirect diplomatic messages were still being exchanged with the United States through intermediaries, suggesting that communication channels remain open despite the collapse of a ceasefire.

(BBC News)