US Begins Tenth Night of Strikes on Iran to Degrade Strait of Hormuz Capabilities
US Central Command launched its tenth consecutive night of strikes on Iran targeting military and communications sites to degrade the country's ability to attack commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The latest Iran strikes follow a pattern of sustained operations aimed at limiting Iranian actions against shipping routes.
US Launches Tenth Night of Strikes
US Central Command announced it has begun a new round of strikes against Iran to further degrade its capabilities to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz. [3] The strikes mark the tenth consecutive night of attacks. [5] US Central Command stated the operations target Iranian military capabilities used to attack shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. [5] The previous night's strikes also focused on Iran's military and communications sites. [4] US Central Command described the ninth night of strikes as aimed at degrading Iran's ability to attack commercial vessels in the strait. [1]
Iranian Retaliatory Attacks Across Region
Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Kuwait early Tuesday morning, activating sirens across the country. [2] Kuwait's air defense system intercepted the strikes. [2] The Iranian army confirmed it had targeted US missile systems in Kuwait's Camp Arifjan with surface-to-surface missiles. [2] Iran said it had targeted sites in Bahrain, Jordan and Syria. [4] Jordan's military shot down three Iranian missiles as sirens sounded across the country. [4] Bahrain said drones launched by Iran had targeted its air navigation systems, though traffic remained unaffected. [4] President Masoud Pezeshkian stated Iran is now fighting a full-scale war with the US. [4]
Explosions Reported in Iranian Cities
Explosions were reported in multiple Iranian cities including Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini. [1] One person was killed and several others wounded southwest of Tabriz. [1] Explosions were also reported in the southern Iranian cities of Bandar Abbas, Sirik Island, Shiraz, Bandar Lengeh and Qeshm. [5] Air defense systems near an Iranian nuclear power plant in Bushehr were activated, and explosions were heard in central Iran near Isfahan. [5] Iranian state media reported no attack has been carried out against Isfahan. [5] The explosions heard in Bushehr are due to the activation of air defense systems, not impacts. [5] Local news reported renewed explosions in Qeshm, Bandar Lengeh and Bandar Abbas early on Tuesday morning. [5] The IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency reported a wave of attacks in the port cities of Konarak and Chabahar. [5] Two locations near the southern Iranian city of Shiraz were subjected to enemy attacks. [5]
Strait of Hormuz tanker incidents
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said two oil tankers had exploded after attempting to transit the strait via an unsafe route. [1] Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated the tankers were going through what it called an unsafe and hazardous southern route of the strait and exploded and were brought to a halt. [4] US Central Command disputed the claims. [4] On Sunday, the IRGC had said two ships were involved in an accident in the same area. [1] A vessel was struck by an unknown projectile off Oman's coast overlooking the Strait of Hormuz. [1] The vessel remains adrift but the crew are safe. [1]
Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts
Mediators proposed a 10-day ceasefire to revive an interim deal. [1] A senior Iranian official said Tehran had received a proposal from mediators for a 10-day ceasefire in an effort to salvage the interim deal intended to pave the way to a lasting agreement to end the war that began on Feb 28. [1] Iran's foreign ministry said mediators had recently presented proposals to Tehran, signalling that diplomatic contacts remain active. [1] Iran's interior minister Eskandar Momeni asked Pakistan to resume its mediation role in Iran's conflict with the US. [1] Diplomatic messages were still being exchanged by both sides through intermediaries despite the collapse of a ceasefire. [4]
Trump's Warnings and Context
US President Donald Trump defended the latest strikes on Iran as honouring the deaths of up to three American service members in recent Iranian attacks. [1] Trump vowed to punish Iran for the deaths of US soldiers, saying it would pay many times over. [4] He said Iran had been hit very hard the previous night in honour of three US soldiers killed recently, two in Jordan and one in Iraq. [4]
What to watch next
Diplomatic contacts through intermediaries are expected to continue alongside the ongoing military exchanges in the region.
