Donald Trump has warned Iran that an even bigger US attack is “waiting in the wings” as American forces unleash a fresh wave of “large and powerful” strikes near the Strait of Hormuz.
The US President dramatically escalated his rhetoric against Tehran on Tuesday, confirming strikes were underway against Iranian targets and threatening a devastating response if Iran dared retaliate.
“The United States is, as we speak, striking Iranian Targets near the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes are large and powerful, and in retaliation for the Iranians’ failed attempt at adding sea mines to the Strait, which currently has no mines (They have been completely removed or detonated!), and the Iranians shooting eight missiles, all successfully knocked down, at our Military Base in Jordan,” Mr Trump posted on Truth Social.
“If the failed Nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level, but it will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings and, when it is over, there will be very little left of the Islamic Republic of Iran! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
The fresh bombardment has crushed hopes that the weekend’s exchange of fire between the two enemies could remain an isolated flare-up rather than the beginning of a wider renewal of hostilities.
Oil markets were already feeling the heat after the first direct attacks between Iran and the US since July, while reports that two tankers had been hit after leaving the Strait of Hormuz added another layer of concern.
The critical waterway is one of the world’s most important oil supply routes and has been effectively closed to shipping by Iran.
Tehran, meanwhile, has shown little sign of backing down, warning it would prevent oil from being exported from the Gulf.
US Central Command confirmed the latest operation had begun at midday US Eastern Time.
“Today at 12pm ET, US forces began striking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Iran,” US Central Command posted on X.
“The strikes follow recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region.”
Iranian state media reported explosions on Qeshm Island, which sits on the northern side of the Strait of Hormuz.
Nour News also reported explosions in the port city of Bandar Abbas and in Chabahar on Iran’s southern coast.
Iran offers talks as US bombs fall
The dramatic escalation came only hours after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused Washington of walking away from an earlier agreement while signalling Tehran remained willing to return to the negotiating table.
“If the US returns to its obligations in the aforementioned memorandum of understanding, the Islamic Republic of Iran will immediately reciprocate,” Pezeshkian said at a summit of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, according to Iran’s IRNA news agency.
Mr Pezeshkian said about three months of negotiations involving mediators Pakistan and Qatar had resulted in the interim Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
But according to the Iranian President, Washington’s commitment to the deal was short-lived.
“The US commitment to the document signed by the president of that country lasted less than two weeks, and that country’s excessive demands and reneging on its commitments began, which still continues,” Mr Pezeshkian said, according to IRNA.
Mr Pezeshkian said Iran had responded proportionately to what he described as American violations of the June agreement.
Under the memorandum, Iran agreed to remove mines from the Strait of Hormuz and allow vessels to pass through the vital shipping route.
In return, the US agreed to end its naval blockade, lift sanctions, provide waivers allowing Iranian oil exports and begin work on a reconstruction package for the country.
But efforts to turn that preliminary understanding into lasting peace have since stalled.
A 60-day deadline laid out in June for Washington and Tehran to reach a final agreement, including over Iran’s nuclear program, expired last month without a breakthrough.
Regional powers attempted to breathe life back into the diplomatic process last week, with delegations from Pakistan, Qatar and Oman travelling to Tehran for another round of talks.
Major sticking points remain, however, with the future of the Strait of Hormuz among the most consequential.
Gulf conflict erupts again
Any hopes of an imminent diplomatic breakthrough have now been overshadowed by another dangerous military escalation.
The US and Iran traded attacks over the weekend for the first time in about a month, before Washington launched its latest strikes on Tuesday.
Mr Trump said the operation was retaliation for Iran’s alleged attempt to place sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz and for eight missiles fired towards a US military base in Jordan.
The President said all eight missiles had been successfully intercepted.
Iran is also preparing for the possibility of further attacks, with its armed forces revealing air defence units have now been deployed at more than 3800 locations across the country.
“Many of these sites are in difficult-to-access areas. Iran is a country with diverse geographical conditions, and air defence forces are stationed in deserts, on coasts, on islands and in mountainous areas,” an Iranian general told state television.
About 160 Iranian air defence personnel have been killed in military conflicts involving the US and Israel since October 2024, according to Second Brigadier General Mohammad Sadeghian.
With fresh American strikes underway, Iran threatening Gulf oil exports and Mr Trump openly warning that his biggest attack is still being held in reserve, the latest escalation has once again put the prospect of a much wider conflict firmly back on the table.
with AP and Reuters
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