The United States launched a new wave of strikes on Iran, with 49 Tomahawk missiles striking targets as close as 40 miles from Tehran, according to President Trump.
The strikes, which began at 5:15 p.m. ET, are part of a “self-defense” effort in response to Iran’s “unwarranted and continued aggression,” said US Central Command. US fighter jets are also taking out radar and air defense systems in southwest Iran.
Iran Conflict Escalation
President Trump said he has spoken directly with top Iranian officials, who asked for the bombing to stop. However, the president warned that if Iran doesn’t agree to a peace deal, the US will “bomb the s*** out of them tomorrow night.”
US Central Command denied Iran’s claim that the Strait of Hormuz was closed, saying commercial ships are continuing to transit in and out of the key waterway. The Trump administration also unveiled fresh sanctions against people and companies accused of helping Iran’s armed forces and Revolutionary Guards acquire weapons abroad.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the goal is to get Iran to codify a deal with the US, accusing Iranian negotiators of stringing their US counterparts along. “If we need to negotiate with bombs, we’ll negotiate with bombs. And we’re very good at it,” he said.
Implications and Reactions
The latest escalation in the conflict has significant implications for the region and global oil markets. The US has been working to support oil tankers and commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, with President Trump announcing that 100 million barrels of oil have been moved through the channel as part of a “secret mission.”
The conflict has been ongoing for 15 weeks, with President Trump initially estimating it would last only four to five weeks. The US and Iran have been engaged in a series of strikes and counter-strikes, with no clear end in sight.
