US launches fresh strikes on Iran as Trump declares ceasefire over

THE United States launched another wave of military strikes against Iran on Wednesday, hours after President declared that the ceasefire between the two countries had effectively ended following Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to U.S. military officials, the latest operation was aimed at further weakening Iran’s ability to threaten maritime security and freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway. The military said the strikes were part of efforts to hold Tehran responsible for what it described as unjustified attacks on merchant ships and civilian crews transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The new strikes followed similar U.S. military action a day earlier, when American forces targeted multiple Iranian military installations and port facilities after several merchant vessels were attacked off the coast of Oman.

READ ALSO: Trump’s escalating rhetoric on Iran pushes oil prices higher

Iranian state media reported explosions in several areas, including the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, the coastal city of Sirik, and Bushehr, which hosts the country’s nuclear power plant complex. State television had earlier reported that 8 members of Iran’s army air and naval forces were killed in strikes on Bandar Abbas and Bushehr.

Speaking on the sidelines of the two-day NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, US President Donald Trump said the recent Iranian attacks marked the end of the ceasefire and warned that Washington was prepared to carry out more military action. He said the U.S. would “probably hit them hard again tonight,” although he added that the confrontation was not expected to become a prolonged military campaign.

Trump also dismissed the value of continued engagement with Iran, saying, “It’s just a waste of time dealing with them,” while indicating that diplomatic negotiations would nevertheless be allowed to continue. He added that any further U.S. action would unfold quickly and suggested the military could “just finish the job.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s issued a warning to countries in the region, saying any nation that provides support to the United States would become ‘a legitimate target.’ Iran’s military also released footage it said showed missiles being launched in response to what it described as U.S. aggression and violations of previous commitments.

Separately, funeral ceremonies continued for Iran’s late Supreme Leader in the Iraqi city of Najaf, where thousands of mourners gathered. Iranian state television and Khamenei’s official website also aired video purportedly showing a mosque within his residential compound following the U.S.-Israeli attacks during the conflict.