US launches fresh Iran strikes as CENTCOM resumes naval blockade
American forces launched fresh strikes against Iran to degrade Tehran’s ability to target commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, CENTCOM said, as a U.S. naval blockade against Iranian ports resumed Tuesday.
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Strait of Hormuz closure could have impact on human rights, United Nations warns
The United Nations on Tuesday condemned the renewed hostilities between the U.S. and Iran in the Middle East, warning that closing the Strait of Hormuz again would harm human rights in that region and beyond.
U.N. rights chief Volker Turk called the renewed attacks "a huge setback for civilians in the region and beyond," warning about the "impact on human rights far beyond the region."
The strait "is a vital lifeline on which millions are reliant," Turk said.
"Disruptions to the flow of food, medicines, and other necessary commodities have severe socioeconomic and humanitarian consequences, both regionally and globally, he continued, adding that diplomacy, restraint and de-escalation must be prioritized," he said.
Turk said hostilities between the U.S. and Iran "must stop immediately," urging an immediate return to the ceasefire.
India summons Iranian diplomat to protest against strikes on ships that killed Indian seafarer
India's Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday summoned Iran's senior diplomat in New Delhi to protest attacks on two commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz that killed an Indian seafarer and wounded several others.
The ministry said it had summoned the deputy chief of mission of the Iranian embassy to lodge a "strong protest" against the Tuesday attacks.
"The Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi was summoned this morning by the Ministry of External Affairs and a strong protest against these attacks was lodged with him," the ministry said in a statement.
The two vessels were carrying a total of 46 crew members, including 30 Indians. One of those Indians "tragically lost his life," the ministry said in its statement.
"India is deeply concerned by the attacks on two vessels, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, during their transit through the Strait of Hormuz today," the statement reads. "Both the vessels were carrying 30 Indian seafarers, among their combined crew of 46. Of the 12 Indian nationals onboard MT Al Bahiyah, one has tragically lost his life and another has been injured. Of the 18 Indian nationals onboard MT Mombasa, 9 have sustained injuries, including 2 who are reported to be seriously injured."
"We strongly condemn these attacks and acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz," the statement continued.
Marco Rubio denounces Iran's strikes on Jordan as 'unacceptable'
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday condemned Iran’s latest strikes on Jordan as "unacceptable" in a meeting with Jordan's foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, in Washington, D.C.
Rubio and Safadi discussed various bilateral and regional issues, including Iran's ongoing attacks on shipping and against countries in the region. Rubio also thanked Safadi for Jordan’s "important role in advancing regional security."
"The Secretary condemned those attacks, including Iran’s unacceptable strikes on Jordanian territory," State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
Iran has repeatedly targeted military infrastructure in Jordan in recent days amid the escalating conflict with U.S. forces. The Iranian military said it had launched new drone strikes on the Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan, where U.S. military assets are located, on Tuesday morning local time.
US conducts new round of attacks against Iran, striking military targets near Strait of Hormuz
U.S. Central Command announced a new round of strikes against Iran on Tuesday evening, hitting dozens of military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian coastal areas.
"U.S. fighter aircraft, drones, and naval vessels launched precision munitions against Iranian missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, and coastal defense systems during the seven-hour wave to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian crews," CENTCOM said on X.
"The strikes took place the same day U.S. forces resumed the naval blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas. The blockade went into effect at 4 p.m. ET today," the post continued.
U.S. forces remain "vigilant, lethal, and prepared to execute operations directed by the Commander in Chief," CENTCOM said.
Iran lawmaker says US only understands ‘language of force’
An Iranian lawmaker reportedly said Tehran should not rely on diplomacy with the U.S., arguing that failed negotiations show Washington only understands the “language of force.”
Ali Khezrian told Iranian state television that talks and agreements with the U.S. have not produced results, accusing Washington of failing to honor its commitments, according to Iran International.
"You made your efforts, but it didn’t yield results. You see that the enemy is treacherous and does not adhere to the agreement it signed with you," Khezrian wrote on X. "Don’t look at the matter of negotiation too fanatically; the enemy understands the language of force."
Hegseth urges Iraq to disarm Iran-aligned militias after Pentagon meeting
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that Iraq must “assert its sovereignty” and disarm Iran-aligned militias, following a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the Pentagon.
"To deepen our partnership, Iraq must assert its sovereignty and disarm the Iran-aligned militias responsible for 600+ attacks on U.S. personnel this spring," Hegseth wrote on X.
"The U.S. is also looking to the Iraqi Security Forces, including the Peshmerga and other Iraqi Kurdistan Region security forces, to lead in D-ISIS efforts as the OIR military missions winds down."
Hegseth added, "A secure Iraq opens the door to strong commercial and defense cooperation."
Rubio, Jordanian foreign minister discuss Iran attacks in region
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Tuesday with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East.
In a post on X, Rubio said the two discussed regional security, including what he described as Iran’s "ongoing attacks on shipping and countries in the region."
Kuwait warns of explosion sounds as air defenses confront ‘hostile drone attacks’
Kuwait’s armed forces said Tuesday that its air defenses were confronting “hostile drone attacks” following what it called “criminal Iranian aggression.”
"The General Staff of the Army notes that any explosion sounds heard are the result of air defense systems intercepting the hostile attacks," the Kuwaiti Army wrote on X. "Everyone is requested to adhere to the security and safety instructions issued by the competent authorities."
Bahrain sounds air-raid sirens, urges residents to 'remain calm'
Bahrain on Tuesday sounded air-raid sirens, urging residents to "remain calm and head to the nearest safe place."
"The siren has been sounded, citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place," Bahrain's interior ministry wrote on X.
Earlier Tuesday, the Bahrain Defense Force said that its air defense systems “intercepted and destroyed a number of treacherous Iranian aerial aggressions.”
CENTCOM commander says Iran ‘intentionally targeted civilians’ in attacks on commercial ships
U.S. Central Command said Tuesday that Iran has “intentionally targeted civilians” across the region over the past week, including attacks on seven commercial ships that left nearly a dozen civilian crew members killed, missing or injured.
Adm. Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM commander, said Iranian forces have also launched dozens of missiles and drones toward neighboring Gulf countries.
"U.S. forces are holding Iran accountable for unwarranted aggression that continues to endanger innocent lives," Cooper said.
Treasury freezes more than $130M as Bessent vows crackdown on Iran’s digital asset ‘abuse’
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that the Treasury Department is working to disrupt Iran’s "illicit financial activities," including what he described as Tehran’s "abuse of digital assets."
In a post on X, Bessent said the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned multiple wallets tied to the Central Bank of Iran, resulting in the freeze of more than $130 million.
"We will continue to aggressively follow the money and deny the Iranian regime access to the proceeds of its illicit revenue schemes," Bessent wrote.
What to know about Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain as Trump warns it could be targeted
President Donald Trump said this week that the U.S. is closely watching Iran’s nuclear-related Pickaxe Mountain facility and warned it could be targeted as tensions with Tehran continue to escalate.
"There's another one we're looking at right now, as you know," Trump told Fox News' chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst. "We're looking at Pickaxe because somebody said there's a little activity."
The facility is located south of Iran’s Natanz enrichment plant and is part of a secured nuclear-related complex, according to the Institute for Science and International Security.
The group said satellite imagery suggests the site is not yet operational, though construction appears to be ongoing. Construction began in fall 2020 after Iran said the underground halls would replace a destroyed centrifuge assembly facility at Natanz.
The site has two pairs of tunnel entrances leading under the mountain ridge and is estimated to be at least 100 meters deep, according to the institute.
Iran has built a large security perimeter around the mountain and hardened some tunnel entrances. It remains unclear when the site could become operational or whether Iran still plans to use it for a large centrifuge assembly facility.
Trump says Iran has ‘no choice’ but to make a deal as US strikes intensify
President Donald Trump said Iran has “no choice” but to make a deal with the U.S. as American strikes against Tehran continue to intensify.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News' chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst, Trump said his representatives had been in contact with Iranian officials as recently as about an hour before the interview.
“They want to make a deal, but every time they make a deal, they break it,” Trump said.
When asked what message was delivered to Iran, Trump said, “You better make a deal. You're not going to have anybody left."
Trump said U.S. forces are being “very careful with the civilian population,” but warned that Tehran must return to the negotiating table.
“I said, you better make a deal. You're not going to have anything left,” Trump said.
The president also said Iran’s military has been “degraded to a very low level” after repeated U.S. strikes, adding that the attacks will continue “until I say it’s enough.”
Trump says Iran strikes will get ‘really bad’ next week unless Tehran negotiates
President Donald Trump said U.S. strikes against Iran will intensify in the coming days unless Tehran returns to the negotiating table.
"We're going to hit them very hard tonight. We're going to hit them very hard tomorrow night. We're going to hit them very hard the night after," Trump said in an exclusive interview with Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst.
Trump continued, "And then next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges. We're going to knock out all the power plants. We're going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate."
Energy secretary says US military is ‘key’ to keeping Arabian Gulf oil flowing
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Tuesday that the U.S. military is helping keep oil and gas flowing out of the Arabian Gulf as tensions with Iran continue.
“The key thing for energy flows out of the Arabian Gulf is the U.S. military,” Wright said during an appearance on CNBC, according to a clip reposted by the White House’s Rapid Response account.
"No matter what happens with Iran, we've got to assure we can get flow of meaningful oil, and gas, and products out of the Arabian Gulf, and the U.S. military's been achieving that," Wright said.
Wright added that as the military ramps up and degrades Iranian capabilities, those efforts “will just keep getting better and better.”
Treasury says it is ‘intensifying’ pressure on Iran with sanctions evasion crackdown
The Treasury Department announced Tuesday it is ramping up efforts to disrupt an Iranian sanctions evasion network tied to Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.
"Today, Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control is intensifying its efforts to disrupt and degrade the illicit shipping and sanctions evasion network of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani," the department wrote on X. "This action is part of Treasury’s ongoing efforts to ramp up economic pressure on the Iranian regime after it resumed destabilizing attacks in the Strait of Hormuz."
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added that the “Shamkhani network” is one of the Iranian regime’s “most profitable engines.”
"The Iranian regime survives on deception, and the Shamkhani network is one of its most profitable engines. Treasury is shutting down the financial infrastructure that allows the regime to continue its threats to U.S. national security and global shipping," Bessent said.
CENTCOM says US forces resume Iran naval blockade, warns troops remain ‘ready’
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said U.S. forces resumed a naval blockade against vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
In a post on X, CENTCOM said over 20 U.S. Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft are currently operating across the Middle East.
"American forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready," the command added.
IRGC warns ‘not a single drop’ of oil, gas will leave region amid US strikes: report
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly threatened Tuesday that “not a single drop of oil and gas” would be exported from the region as long as U.S. “evil actions” continue, according to Reuters, citing Iranian state media.
The IRGC also warned that U.S. “aggressions” would only delay the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, while claiming its attacks on what it called U.S. facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait were retaliation for American strikes on Iran, the outlet reported.
Reuters contributed to this report.
US launches new strikes on Iran as naval blockade set to resume, CENTCOM says
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces launched a new round of strikes against Iran on Tuesday aimed at "degrading" Tehran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
"At 3 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching an additional round of strikes against Iran to continue degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM wrote on X. "The strikes are taking place as American forces prepare to resume the naval blockade against Iranian ports and coastal areas. The blockade goes into effect at 4 p.m. ET."
Qatar condemns Iran’s attacks on Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait as ‘egregious violation’
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday strongly condemned what it called Iran’s repeated attacks on Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait, saying the strikes violated the "sovereignty" of the three Gulf nations.
"The State of Qatar strongly condemns the repeated Iranian attacks on the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the State of Kuwait, deeming them 'an egregious violation' of the sovereignty of those brotherly nations and of the international rules-based order," the ministry said in a statement.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses the critical importance of shielding the region from the consequences of unprovoked attacks and maintaining the path of dialogue, diplomacy, and de-escalation, which it says are essential to consolidating security and stability both regionally globally."
Qatar added that it "stands firmly" with Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait in any measures they take to protect their "sovereignty and security."