US and Iran escalate military strikes as diplomatic talks collapse
President Donald Trump warns of further action over energy assets as Iran’s negotiator rejects deals that fail to secure control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States and Iran have entered a sixth day of renewed military hostilities, with diplomatic negotiations effectively stalling as both nations escalate their attacks. The United States military conducted a six-hour wave of strikes across Iran, targeting command centres, air defence sites, and coastal surveillance facilities, while Iran launched retaliatory suicide drone attacks on US military bases in neighbouring Gulf states.
US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed that the strikes targeted Iranian missile and drone capabilities, with significant impacts reported in the port city of Bandar Abbas and on Greater Tunb Island. The command stated the operation aimed to degrade Iran's ability to threaten innocent mariners in the Strait of Hormuz. Explosions were heard across Iran overnight, and air defences were triggered in Tehran, according to Iranian state media.
In response to the US offensive, Iran targeted US military facilities in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The Iranian military reported striking communication systems and fuel storage facilities in Jordan. Kuwait’s military intercepted drone attacks, while Bahrain’s interior ministry advised citizens to remain calm and seek safe places as air raid sirens sounded in the kingdom.
US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Tehran, stating that Iran had "better behave" or face further military action if it did not return to negotiations. On Tuesday, Trump specifically threatened to target Iran’s energy infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, should Tehran fail to resume talks. The US has also reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, with Centcom reporting the disabling of an unladen, Curacao-flagged oil tanker attempting to sail toward a blockaded port.
Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, told state media that Tehran had "no reason" to abide by any agreement that did not benefit the country. He emphasised that Iran’s national security depended on maintaining what he described as "Iranian arrangements" in the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the strategic importance of the shipping lane as preliminary deals to end the war continue to strain.
