The United States carried out fresh overnight military strikes inside Iran, targeting what American officials described as a threat to US troops and commercial shipping routes in the region, according to multiple US media reports.
The strikes come at a time when Washington and Tehran are still publicly maintaining that the ceasefire between the two sides remains in place, even as tensions continue to simmer around the Strait of Hormuz and negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme remain unresolved.
US forces also intercepted drones launched from Iran, CBS News reported, citing a US official. The official described the latest American operation as “defensive” in nature and insisted that the broader ceasefire understanding had not collapsed.
Hours later, explosions were reported near the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, located along the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz. Iranian news agency Fars said three blasts were heard east of the city around 1:30 am local time on Thursday.
Iranian authorities activated air defence systems soon after the explosions, though officials said they were still trying to determine the source of the sounds.
Trump says US ready to resume military action
Even as military activity intensified in the region, US President Donald Trump signalled that Washington was prepared to escalate further if talks with Tehran fail to produce an agreement acceptable to the United States.
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Trump dismissed suggestions that domestic political pressure linked to the upcoming US midterm elections would force him into a compromise with Iran.
“They thought they were going to outwait me. I don’t care about the midterms,” Trump said.
The US President also indicated that Washington was dissatisfied with the current terms under discussion in the ongoing negotiations.
“We’re not satisfied with it, but we will be. Either that or we’ll have to just finish the job,” he said.
Trump further claimed Iran was now under pressure to reach an agreement.
“They want to just make a deal. I don’t think they have a choice,” he added.
White House rejects Iranian report on draft agreement
The White House also pushed back against reports carried by Iranian state media regarding an alleged draft understanding between Washington and Tehran.
Iran’s state-run IRIB TV had claimed the proposed framework included a withdrawal of US forces from areas near Iran and an end to the US naval blockade around Iranian ports.
However, the White House dismissed the report as “a complete fabrication”.
Trump also ruled out the possibility of sanctions relief in exchange for Iran giving up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
“No, no, not at all. Not sanctions relief, no,” Trump said during a brief phone interaction with PBS News.
“They’re gonna give up their highly enriched uranium not for sanctions relief,” he added.
The latest developments add fresh uncertainty to an already volatile situation in West Asia, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.