U.S. launches new strikes against multiple targets in Iran

The United States has launched new strikes in Iran after President Trump warned that more attacks were coming following a breakdown in negotiations, according to U.S. officials.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces began launching the strikes at 5:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Trump’s direction.

“U.S. Central Command forces began launching additional self-defense strikes today at 5:15 p.m. ET against multiple targets in Iran at the Commander in Chief’s direction,” CENTCOM said in a statement. “The strikes are in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression.”

Iranian local media reported explosions in Minab and the port city of Sirik, both in Hormozgan province near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media also reported air defense activity in Tehran.

The reports came after Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly warned that additional strikes were imminent.

“We hit them hard yesterday, and we are going to hit them again hard today,” Trump told reporters at the White House earlier on Wednesday. “We’ll see what happens with the deal. We were really close to a deal, but they keep tapping us along. They keep playing us for suckers.”

Trump had earlier said the U.S. was close to ordering new strikes against Iranian power plants and bridges, according to Fox News.

Axios, citing U.S. officials, reported that Trump held a Situation Room meeting on strike options and was considering large-scale attacks against Iran after the latest stalemate in negotiations.

Trump also issued a warning on social media, saying Iran’s military was “a complete and total mess” and claiming that much of its navy and air force “doesn’t even exist anymore.” He said Iran had taken too long to negotiate and would “have to pay the price.”