WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said American forces struck Iran “very hard” during the latest round of military operations, describing the attacks as being carried out “in honour” of three US service members killed in recent days.
The comments came after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it had launched a ninth consecutive night of airstrikes against Iranian targets, marking another major escalation in the rapidly intensifying conflict between Washington and Tehran.
US Targets Iranian Military Infrastructure
According to CENTCOM, the latest operation targeted Iranian military facilities, communications networks, and strategic infrastructure aimed at reducing Tehran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Military officials said the strikes are intended to further weaken Iran’s operational capabilities and protect one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.
Explosions were reported across several Iranian cities, including Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr, and Bandar Imam Khomeini, according to Iranian media reports.
Trump: Strikes Honor Fallen US Troops
Speaking after the operation, President Trump said the attacks were conducted in memory of three American soldiers killed in recent Iranian-linked attacks.
“The strikes hit Iran very hard,” Trump said, adding they were carried out “in honour” of the US service members who lost their lives.
The latest casualty followed a deadly Iranian attack in northern Iraq, while two other US soldiers were killed during an earlier missile and drone strike targeting American forces stationed in Jordan.
US officials also confirmed that investigations continue after unidentified human remains were recovered following the Jordan attack.
Iran Claims Retaliation
Iran said it responded by launching what it described as a “surprise attack” targeting US military assets in Syria and American aircraft stationed at Jordan’s Aqaba Airport.
Meanwhile, Kuwait’s armed forces announced that they intercepted several Iranian drones entering the country’s airspace, highlighting the widening regional impact of the conflict.
Hormuz Tensions Deepen
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that two oil tankers exploded while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, alleging the vessels had used what it called an unsafe southern shipping route.
The IRGC warned that the strategic waterway would remain unsafe for oil and petrochemical shipments as long as US military operations continue.
However, CENTCOM rejected Iran’s account, disputing the claims surrounding the tanker incidents.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil trade, making any disruption a major concern for global energy markets.
US Leaves Door Open for Diplomacy
Despite the continued military campaign, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that Washington remains open to a diplomatic resolution.
Rubio stressed that the international community must decide whether Iran should be allowed to control access to one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
“The United States always remains open to a diplomatic solution,” Rubio said, while accusing Tehran of using the Strait of Hormuz as geopolitical leverage.
As both sides continue exchanging military strikes, fears are growing that the conflict could expand further across the Middle East, threatening regional stability and global energy supplies.
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