The US has launched a fresh wave of strikes against Iran aimed at degrading its military, as Tehran said the attacks render diplomacy 'futile' and announced it had again closed the strait of Hormuz.
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Key facts
- US Central Command said it began launching more strikes against Iran at 5pm ET on Sunday.
- Tehran targeted US facilities in states across the Gulf and said it had again closed the strait of Hormuz.
- Iran has sought to establish a permanent system for collecting fees in the strait and warned vessels not to sail without its authorisation.
- The exchanges follow three previous days of tit-for-tat strikes as a June ceasefire deal frays.
- Tehran said the attacks render diplomacy 'futile'.
The United States and Iran have again exchanged heavy missile and drone assaults, with Tehran targeting US facilities in states across the Gulf and saying it had once more closed the vital strait of Hormuz, according to the Guardian.
The US military began launching more strikes against Iran at 5pm ET on Sunday, US Central Command said in a statement. The stated aim was “to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the strait of Hormuz.”
Iran has sought to establish a permanent system for collecting fees in the strait of Hormuz and warned vessels not to sail without its authorisation, the Guardian reported. The strait is one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil and commercial cargo.
In response to the latest attacks, Tehran said the strikes render diplomacy “futile,” signalling a hardening of its position amid the escalating confrontation.
According to Al Jazeera, Sunday’s attacks follow three previous days of tit-for-tat strikes between Iran and the US, as a June ceasefire deal frays. The renewed exchanges point to a deepening cycle of retaliation between the two sides.
The pattern of mutual strikes, combined with Iran’s moves to control passage through the strait of Hormuz, underscores the fragility of the earlier truce and the risk of further escalation across the Gulf.
Why it matters
The strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical shipping channels, and disruptions there can affect global energy supplies and prices. A fraying ceasefire and escalating strikes between the US and Iran raise the risk of a wider regional conflict.
Frequently asked questions
Why did the US launch new strikes on Iran?
US Central Command said it began the strikes at 5pm ET on Sunday to continue degrading Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships transiting the strait of Hormuz.
What has Iran done in the strait of Hormuz?
According to the Guardian, Iran has sought to establish a permanent system for collecting fees in the strait and warned vessels not to sail without its authorisation, and said it had again closed the strait.
How does this relate to the earlier ceasefire?
Al Jazeera reports that Sunday's attacks follow three previous days of tit-for-tat strikes between Iran and the US as a June ceasefire deal frays.
Timeline
- US strikes on Iran reportedly hit airport and bridges – Middle East crisis live
The Guardian World: Iranshahr airport, southern rail station and two bridges attacked, Iranian media says US marines board tanker amid blockade of Iranian ports A tanker was hit by an unknown projectile off the coast of Oman near the strait of Hormuz, causing minor damage to the ship but no injur
- US strikes on Iran reportedly hit airport and bridge – Middle East crisis live
The Guardian World: Iranshahr airport and southern rail station and two bridges attacked, Iranian media says The Iranian health ministry said 38 people have been killed in Iran in recent US attacks, with more than 400 others injured. Reporting the figures on X, Hossein Kermanpour, head of public rel
- Blasts reported in Iran as US launches new wave of strikes
BBC World: The US says its attacks aim to "further degrade Iranian military capabilities", as fighting continued for the sixth day in a row.
- US launches new attacks on Iran as Tehran targets Gulf sites
Al Jazeera: Iran's Health Ministry has said at least 35 people have been killed and more than 300 injured since fighting resumed.
- Iran targets military bases as US launches wave of strikes
BBC World: Explosions were heard across Iran overnight, shortly after neighbouring Gulf states began to report attacks.
- Iran launches attacks across region as US strikes continue
Al Jazeera: Iran attacked Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan on Tuesday night, claiming to destroy the US Fifth Fleet’s command centre.
- US and Iran exchange fresh wave of strikes as Tehran says diplomacy has proven ‘futile’
The Guardian World: Tit-for-tat missile and drone attacks continue over control of strait of Hormuz, increasing pressure on truce • Middle East crisis live – latest updates US and Iranian military forces exchanged missile and drone strikes over the weekend and into Monday, as Tehran targeted US bas
- Iran launches attacks on American military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait after fresh US strikes – Middle East crisis live
The Guardian World: US military says it hit dozens of Iranian sites in strikes on Monday while UN chief warns that a return to full-scale fighting would be ‘catastrophic’ US launches new attack wave on Iran as Tehran says diplomacy has proven ‘futile’ In a series of social media posts this morning,
- Middle East crisis live: Iran says launching retaliatory actions after fresh wave of US strikes
The Guardian World: Iran has sought to establish a permanent system for collecting fees in the strait of Hormuz and warned vessels not to sail without its authorisation Bahrain’s interior ministry instructed residents to take shelter after attacks on the island nation as Iran targets US interests in
- US launches new wave of strikes against Iran as Tehran says diplomacy has proven ‘futile’
The Guardian World: American and Iranian forces exchange heavy missile and drone attacks over control of strait of Hormuz, increasing pressure on truce The US military has launched a new wave of attacks against Iran amid the escalating standoff over the strait of Hormuz, with Tehran saying the lates
- US launches new wave of strikes against Iran, aimed at ‘degrading’ military
Al Jazeera: Sunday's attacks follow three previous days of tit-for-tat strikes between Iran and US as a June ceasefire deal frays.
- Middle East crisis live: US launches new wave of strikes on Iran; Tehran says attacks render diplomacy ‘futile’
The Guardian World: Iran has sought to establish a permanent system for collecting fees in the strait of Hormuz and warned vessels not to sail without its authorisation The US and Iran have again exchanged heavy missile and drone assaults , with Tehran targeting US facilities in states across the Gu