New US Strikes Hit Iranian Coast Amid Hormuz Strait Tensions

The United States Central Command has announced the commencement of a new wave of military strikes against targets within Iran, aimed at degrading Tehran's capacity to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. This escalation follows closely after the US President's declaration of the termination of a temporary ceasefire agreement between the two nations.

In a statement released on Wednesday evening, CENTCOM asserted that the United States holds Iran responsible for what it described as "unprovoked aggressions" against commercial vessels and their crews in international maritime corridors. The command emphasized that these military operations are intended to safeguard international navigation and ensure the security of shipping traffic in one of the world's most critical trade routes.

Reuters, citing a US official, reported that the ongoing strikes are expected to be broader and more intense than those conducted by US forces on Tuesday, which targeted dozens of sites within Iran. US officials characterized these strikes as the most extensive since the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries on June 17, confirming that US forces remain on high alert.

In response, official Iranian media reported hearing a series of explosions in several coastal cities and facilities concurrently with the American strikes. The IRNA news agency stated that warplanes were observed flying over Kish Island, while explosions were heard in the cities of Bandar Abbas, Konarak, and Chabahar, as well as in the Sirik and Bushehr regions, Kish Island, and Iranshahr. Power outages were also reported in parts of some cities.

Iranian state television indicated that eight explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas, and projectiles struck the ports of Sirik and Jask. Iranian media also reported that a US strike targeted a Revolutionary Guard base in Iranshahr. The Fars news agency reported that attacks hit a maritime traffic control tower and a warehouse in Chabahar port in the southeastern part of the country. Iran's air defenses announced the interception of what they described as "hostile targets" near the city, according to the Mehr news agency.

This escalation follows the US announcement of strikes on over 80 sites within Iran the previous day, in retaliation for Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran responded on Wednesday by announcing strikes on US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, while Washington declared the cancellation of temporary waivers on sanctions against Iranian oil exports. Both sides are accusing each other of violating the memorandum of understanding signed on June 17, which aimed to halt the conflict that began on February 28. Growing concerns persist regarding the potential for the confrontation to escalate into a wider regional conflict, threatening maritime security and global energy supplies.