US launches new wave of strikes against Iran after promising to 'hit them hard'

Image source, ReutersByMatt SpiveyPublished3 minutes agoThe US has launched a new round of strikes on Iran after President Donald Trump signalled he'd "hit them hard again tonight" following an overnight exchange of attacks on Tuesday.Explosions have been reported by Iranian state media in parts of the country's south, including Sirik and Bandar Abbas - port cities on the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command (Centcom) said the strikes were carried out to "further degrade Tehran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation" in the vital waterway.

Iran has not yet commented, but senior officials earlier warned any attack from the US would be met with an "immediate response".Centcom added: "The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway."On Tuesday, the US military said it had launched "powerful" strikes in response to attacks on three tankers in the strait.

Tuesday into Wednesday saw the worst exchange of strikes between the US and Iran since the deal - known as a memorandum of understanding (MoU) - was signed on 17 June.Trump said on Wednesday that the ceasefire agreement signed last month with Iran is "over", and added the US "hit them very hard last night" and will "probably hit them hard again tonight". In response, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X: "We do not answer vulgarity with vulgarity, but with action: fearlessly and with great valour."

The deal between the US and Iran included 14 points, among them a 60-day period for a ceasefire during which negotiations should continue, the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and the US lifting sanctions on Iran.The 60-day-period for negotiations is not yet up, but Trump has said he saw further talks as "a waste of time".Related topicsIranUnited StatesIran-US relationsMiddle East 3 minutes ago