By The United States has launched fresh military strikes on Iranian targets, marking the second such operation in three days amid a fragile ceasefire and ongoing peace negotiations.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces struck a military facility in the strategic port city of Bandar Abbas. The site was targeted while it was preparing to launch a drone. CENTCOM also reported shooting down four Iranian one-way attack drones that posed an immediate threat near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian media reported explosions east of Bandar Abbas following the strikes.
The latest action comes as part of what the US describes as defensive measures to protect its forces and maintain the fragile truce. CENTCOM called the strikes “measured and purely defensive.”
Background of the Conflict
The three-month conflict began on February 28 when US and Israeli forces conducted initial strikes on Iran. The fighting has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, causing a sharp rise in global oil and gas prices.
Earlier this week, on Monday, US forces carried out similar self-defense strikes on Iranian missile sites and vessels attempting to lay mines in the Strait.
Iranian Response
Iran has strongly condemned the latest US attacks, describing them as a “grave violation” of the ceasefire. Iranian officials vowed a firm response, stating they would not leave any hostile actions unanswered.
On Thursday, Kuwait’s military reported activating air defenses to intercept hostile missiles and drones in the region.
Sanctions and Economic Pressure
In a related move, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Iran’s “Persian Gulf Strait Authority,” the body responsible for collecting fees from vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Washington warned that any ships paying these fees could face secondary sanctions.
US officials described the fee collection as an attempt by Iran’s military to “extort” international maritime trade.
Trump’s Stance on Negotiations
During a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said Washington remains unsatisfied with the current state of negotiations with Iran.
“They just want to make a deal — I don’t think they have a choice,” Trump said, while cautioning that the US is prepared to “finish the job” if a satisfactory agreement is not reached.
Trump noted progress in talks but emphasized that a final deal has not yet been achieved. He also urged Gulf nations to join the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel.
The White House previously rejected a draft agreement reported by Iranian state media as a “complete fabrication.”
Both sides indicated some advancement in negotiations last week, though Iran later stated a deal was “not imminent,” and Trump advised his team not to rush.
The conflict also involves Israel’s separate operations against Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
