US Launches New Strikes on Multiple Targets in Iran After Trump Vows to Hit Hard
The United States launched new strikes against multiple targets in Iran on Wednesday, marking the second day of Iran strikes following President Donald Trump's vow to hit the country 'very hard' after talks to end the conflict faltered. US Central Command stated the additional self-defense strikes began at 5:15 p.m. New York time on Wednesday in response to Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression. [3][5]
US Launches Fresh Strikes on Iran
US Central Command stated the additional self-defense strikes began at 5:15 p.m. New York time on Wednesday in response to Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression. [3][5] The strikes mark the second straight day of US attacks, following Tuesday's bombardment of air defense, radar and other sites near the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the downing of a US Apache helicopter. [3][5] Iranian media reported explosions across the country's south near the Strait of Hormuz. [5] The attacks underscore that an April ceasefire has effectively collapsed despite the absence of large-scale bombing. [3][5] US Central Command said it had begun what it called the additional self-defense strikes at 5:15 p.m. New York time on Wednesday. [3]
Trump's Vow and Faltering Talks
President Donald Trump vowed to hit them hard after talks to end the more than three-month war faltered. [5] The attacks, which followed strikes on Tuesday in retaliation for the downing of a US Apache helicopter, underscored President Donald Trump's growing impatience that the two sides have so far failed to reach an agreement. [3][5] They also reinforced the view that an April ceasefire has effectively collapsed, despite the absence of a return to the large-scale bombing campaign seen at the start of the conflict. [3][5] US Central Command said American forces began additional self-defense strikes at 5:15 p.m. Washington time against multiple targets in Iran, in response to what it called Tehran's unwarranted and continued aggression. [5]
Iran's Retaliatory Actions
Iranian media reported explosions across the country's south near the Strait of Hormuz, the same area where US forces had already bombarded air defense, radar and other sites on Tuesday. [5] Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels. [3] Iran launched missiles at a US base in Jordan and 21 other targets in the Gulf. [5] Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it had carried out attacks against a US base in Jordan and 21 other targets in the Gulf on Wednesday in retaliation for American strikes around the Strait of Hormuz. [5] Iranian missiles are launched, as Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it had carried out attacks against a US base in Jordan and 21 other targets in the Gulf on Wednesday in retaliation for American strikes around the Strait of Hormuz. [5]
Market Reaction to Renewed Conflict
Oil prices jumped nearly 4% to around $93 a barrel while US stock futures fell, with S&P 500 futures down 0.4-0.6% and Nasdaq 100 contracts losing 0.8%, amid broader market volatility from the renewed conflict. [3] West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 3.1% to almost $93 a barrel after the US military launched strikes on multiple targets in Iran for a second straight day. [3] S&P 500 futures fell 0.4% and Nasdaq 100 contracts lost 0.8% after the underlying gauges both dropped during the US session, with tech stocks rattled by a renewed selloff. [3] Gold extended losses to around $4,040 an ounce on concerns elevated oil prices will lead to higher interest rates. [3] The dollar was a touch stronger against most Group-of-10 currencies. [3] Treasury futures also fell as geopolitical tensions increased with Iran saying the Strait of Hormuz was closed to all types of vessels. [3] West Texas Intermediate crude rose 3.9% to $93.52 a barrel. [3] Spot gold fell 1.1% to $4,028.57 an ounce. [3] S&P 500 futures fell 0.6% as of 8:19 a.m. Tokyo time. [3] The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was little changed. [3] The euro was little changed at $1.1527. [3] The Japanese yen was little changed at 160.56 per dollar. [3] The offshore yuan was little changed at 6.7845 per dollar. [3] The Australian dollar fell 0.2% to $0.6988. [3] Bitcoin fell 0.8% to $61,221.76. [3] Ether fell 1.1% to $1,610.8. [3] Australia's 10-year yield advanced three basis points to 4.92%. [3]
Broader Conflict Background
The attacks underscore that an April ceasefire has effectively collapsed despite the absence of large-scale bombing, with markets viewing the episode as potentially brief but adding volatility to oil supply concerns. [3][5] The strikes mark the second straight day of US attacks, following Tuesday's bombardment of air defense, radar and other sites near the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the downing of a US Apache helicopter. [3][5] They also reinforced the view that an April ceasefire has effectively collapsed, despite the absence of a return to the large-scale bombing campaign seen at the start of the conflict. [3][5] Markets retain a suspicion that this will be another brief episode of sound and fury signifying not much, so a degree of caution in positioning seems warranted. [3]
What to watch next: Markets retain a suspicion that this will be another brief episode of sound and fury signifying not much, so a degree of caution in positioning seems warranted, with traders continuing to price in higher US rates amid the renewed conflict. [3]
