US, Iran trade fresh strikes for second day as Hormuz tensions escalate
The United States and Iran exchanged fresh military strikes for a second consecutive day on Thursday, dramatically escalating tensions in the Gulf as Washington launched attacks on around 90 Iranian military targets following attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran retaliated by targeting US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain.
The US military said it carried out a new wave of strikes to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces struck approximately 90 Iranian military targets, including:
- Air defence systems
- Coastal surveillance assets
- Missile and drone storage sites
- Naval capabilities
- Military logistics infrastructure along Iran’s coastline
The operation followed strikes carried out a day earlier after Iran allegedly attacked three commercial cargo vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump described the latest military action as retaliation for Tuesday’s attacks on commercial shipping.
“This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
