The renewed military action came as Iran's Revolutionary Guards declared that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until the United States ends what it described as its "acts of aggression"
Washington: The United States launched a fresh wave of military strikes on Iran on Wednesday, further escalating tensions in the region, as Tehran warned it could expand disruptions to key oil and gas export routes beyond the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the US military's Central Command (Centcom), the latest operation involved coordinated drone, air and naval strikes on military targets in Iran. The strikes followed an overnight operation that lasted around seven hours.
The renewed military action came as Iran's Revolutionary Guards declared that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until the United States ends what it described as its "acts of aggression". The force also warned that additional regional oil and gas export routes serving the interests of the US and its allies could be targeted, although it did not specify which routes
US President Donald Trump also hardened his stance, warning that Washington would intensify attacks if Iran refuses to return to negotiations.
Speaking in an interview with *Special Report with Bret Baier* aired on Tuesday night, Trump said the US could target Iran's bridges and power infrastructure next week before eventually expanding strikes to the country's energy facilities.
"I'll save the energy targets for last, but ultimately we'll hit energy targets," Trump said.
The latest escalation follows Trump's earlier remarks that a proposed 20% toll on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz would instead be replaced by "massive" trade and investment agreements with Gulf states.
Meanwhile, the United States imposed a renewed blockade on Iranian ports on Tuesday evening, preventing vessels from transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal waters.
Responding to the move, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned Washington to "expect the closure of other oil and gas export routes that serve the interests of the United States and its allies".
Separately, Iran's state-run broadcaster reported that the country's military had launched attacks on US targets in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain. The three US allies said they successfully intercepted drones and missiles fired from Iran.
Published: 15 Jul 2026, 05:59 pm IST
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