US MILITARY LAUNCHES FRESH STRIKES ON IRAN

US Central Command announced on Wednesday that the military launched a fresh "wave of strikes" against Iran, targeting military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes occurred at 6am ET (10am GMT), according to CENTCOM's statement. Iranian government officials confirmed that US projectiles struck locations near the cities of Hajiabad and Sirik in the southern Hormozgan province, and reported that a US attack hit Bandar Abbas. An Iranian government spokesperson stated that more than 30 civilians were killed in US air strikes targeting the country's southern region in recent days.

The strikes represent the fourth consecutive night of US military action against Iran following President Donald Trump's reinstatement of a blockade on Iranian shipping around the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran responded swiftly, with Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain all reporting attacks originating from Iran. Iran's Mehr and IRNA news agencies reported on the locations and timing of the US strikes. The escalation follows a period of heightened tensions over shipping and military activity in the region.

Trump vowed to strike Iran's bridges and power plants in the coming week if the country does not return to talks. Tehran threatened to block more trade routes in response to the US military action. The exchanges represent a significant escalation in military tensions between the United States and Iran over activities in and around the Strait of Hormuz.