US launches fresh strikes on Iran; Trump vows to 'hit them hard'

The United States has launched a new round of strikes against Iran, following President Donald Trump's signal that he would 'hit them hard again tonight' after an overnight exchange of attacks on Tuesday. Iranian state media reported explosions in the country's south, including in Sirik and Bandar Abbas, port cities on the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command (Centcom) said the strikes were aimed at 'further degrading Tehran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation' in the vital waterway. Iran has not yet commented, but senior officials earlier warned that any US attack would be met with an 'immediate response'. Centcom added: 'The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway.' Several explosions were also heard in the southern cities of Konarak and Chabahar. Air defense systems were activated in Bandar Abbas. On Tuesday, the US military said it had launched 'powerful' strikes in response to attacks on three tankers in the strait. On Wednesday, Iran said it targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait in retaliation. Tuesday into Wednesday saw the worst exchange of strikes between the US and Iran since the memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on 17 June. Trump said on Wednesday that the ceasefire agreement signed last month with Iran is 'over', adding that the US 'hit them very hard last night' and will 'probably hit them hard again tonight'. In response, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X: 'We do not answer vulgarity with vulgarity, but with action: fearlessly and with great valour.' The MoU between the US and Iran included 14 points, among them a 60-day ceasefire during which negotiations should continue, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and US sanctions relief. The 60-day period is not yet up, but Trump called further talks 'a waste of time'. These are not the first strikes since the MoU. The US struck Iran on 26 June after an Iranian projectile hit a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, and again on 27 June after an attack on a tanker. However, later that month both sides agreed to 'stand down'.