US President Donald Trump has said the latest American military strikes against Iran delivered a severe blow, describing the operation as a tribute to US service members recently killed in attacks linked to the ongoing conflict.
“Very hard,” Trump said of the strikes, adding that they were carried out “in honour” of three American soldiers who died in recent days—two in Jordan and one in Iraq.
The remarks came after the US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed it launched another round of overnight strikes, marking the ninth consecutive night of military operations against Iran.
Explosions were reported in several Iranian cities as the US said it targeted military facilities and communications infrastructure in an effort to “further diminish” Tehran’s ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran, however, said it had retaliated by carrying out what it described as a “surprise attack” in Syria while also targeting US aircraft stationed at Jordan’s Aqaba Airport.
Meanwhile, Kuwait’s armed forces announced that they intercepted several Iranian drones.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that cities including Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr, and Bandar Imam Khomeini were among those affected by the latest US strikes.
Iranian state media also reported explosions involving two oil tankers attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the vessels were travelling through what it called an “unsafe and hazardous southern route” before they “exploded and were brought to a halt.” Centcom, however, disputed that account.
The IRGC warned that the strategic waterway would remain unsafe for energy exports if US attacks continued.
“Will not be safe for the transit of petrochemical products, nor even a single drop of oil and gas,” the IRGC said, adding that it would launch a “punitive operation” in response.
The latest escalation follows a series of deadly attacks on US military personnel in the region.
Over the weekend, the United States confirmed that one service member was killed during an Iranian attack in northern Iraq.
That incident came shortly after another attack on a US base in Jordan claimed the lives of two soldiers.
The Pentagon identified the victims as Private Isabella Gonzales, 19, and Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25.
US officials also disclosed that a third service member initially reported missing following the Jordan attack remains under investigation, with “unidentified remains” recovered during search operations.
Despite the continued exchange of strikes, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted that Washington remains willing to pursue diplomacy.
“Always remains open to a diplomatic solution,” Rubio said.
He also argued that the international community must decide whether Iran should be allowed to control access through the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Tehran of using the vital shipping lane as a bargaining tool.
The renewed fighting comes after a preliminary ceasefire agreement reached in mid-June collapsed. Negotiations aimed at securing a permanent peace have made little progress since President Trump declared the agreement “over” on July 8.
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