US launches new strikes on Iranian military targets used to attack ships in Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. launched a fresh round of strikes on Iranian military targets Wednesday morning with a focus on degrading Iran's ability to attack commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz
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Iran draws 'red line' after Trump threatens expanded military campaign
A spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned Thursday that Tehran would unleash widespread military attacks across the region if the United States strikes the country's key infrastructure.
"If the recent threats by the empty-headed U.S. president to target the infrastructure of the Islamic Republic of Iran are carried out, then everything that, out of Iran's restraint, has so far remained intact — namely all infrastructure in the region — will be crushed under the powerful blows of Iran's armed forces," the spokesman, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, said in a statement.
Zolfaghari also said Iran would not allow the U.S. to intervene in the Strait of Hormuz "under any circumstances," calling it "Iran's invincible red line."
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump threatened to expand military strikes and continue hitting Iran "very hard" unless it returns to the negotiating table.
"Next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants," Trump said Tuesday in an interview with Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst.
"Next week comes the bridges. We're gonna knock out all their power plants. We're going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate."
Hegseth, Israeli defense minister discuss Iran conflict as US strikes continue
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz Wednesday night about the ongoing military conflict with Iran, Katz's office said in a statement.
According to Katz's office, Hegseth updated the defense minister "on the American military's activities in Iran," and the two agreed to continue cooperation between their countries "in the face of any possible developments."
The statement also said Katz discussed Israel's military operations in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon.
"We have never asked the United States to act on our behalf along our borders," Katz said. "We are committed to defending the citizens of Israel against every threat, and that is what we intend to do."
The reported conversation came as the U.S. has carried out several waves of strikes against Iran in recent days.
Iran, meanwhile, has launched attacks against U.S. allies in the region, including Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan.
Iran claims strikes on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain after latest American attacks
Iran claimed it carried out strikes against U.S. bases and facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain on Wednesday in response to American strikes earlier in the day, according to The Times of Israel, citing Iranian state media.
Iran's military claimed it targeted "radar systems, a Patriot air defense system, and fuel storage facilities at Ali Al Salem Air Base" in Kuwait, as well as U.S. military facilities at Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, according to state media.
Meanwhile, Jordanian state media reported the country intercepted multiple Iranian missiles.
The claims came after the U.S. military said it carried out a new wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday evening.
Iran claims drone attack on U.S. military sites in Jordan after latest American strikes
Tehran said it launched drones at U.S. military facilities in Jordan after American forces carried out a new wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday, according to The Times of Israel, citing Iranian state media.
"The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran announced that ... in response to the enemy aggression, it targeted the communication systems and fuel storage facilities of the U.S. military in Jordan using suicide (kamikaze) drones," The Times of Israel reported.
The claim came after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Wednesday evening that it had carried out new strikes against Iran.
Strait of Hormuz ship traffic falls after US reinstates Iran naval blockade
Fewer vessels traveled through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after the U.S. reinstituted a naval blockade on Iran.
Seven vessels crossed the international waterway on Wednesday, down from 13 the previous day, according to Kpler shipping data.
Since restarting the naval blockade of Iranian ports in the strait on Tuesday, U.S. forces have redirected two commercial vessels that attempted to evade the blockade, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Wednesday.
The renewed naval blockade comes after U.S. forces carried out strikes against Iran for five consecutive days following repeated attacks by Tehran on commercial vessels transiting the strait.
Reuters contributed to this report.
US conducts new wave of strikes against Iranian military sites, CENTCOM says
U.S. Central Command announced Wednesday it had completed an evening wave of strikes against Iran, hitting Iranian command centers, air defense sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities "to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten innocent mariners crewing commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz."
CENTCOM said it used "precision munitions to hit targets in multiple locations, including Bandar Abbas."
"Earlier this morning, American forces struck coastal defense and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb Island during a 90-minute wave," CENTCOM said on X.
"The U.S. military is holding Iran accountable at the Commander-in-Chief's direction," the post added.
Massive billboard in Tehran depicts Trump in coffin, includes ‘We Kill Trump’ message
A massive billboard depicting President Donald Trump lying in a coffin has been erected in central Tehran, days after calls to assassinate the U.S. president were made during funeral ceremonies for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The display, installed at Islamic Revolution Square, features the English-language phrase “We Kill Trump” alongside graffiti-style messages written across the image.
The billboard comes as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate, with U.S. forces carrying out multiple rounds of strikes on Iranian military targets this week and enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
The image was photographed Wednesday by The Associated Press.
Former CENTCOM deputy says Iran’s military is being ‘neutered’ by US operations
Former CENTCOM Deputy Commander Vice Adm. Robert Harward said Wednesday that U.S. military operations are systematically dismantling Iran’s military capabilities, arguing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been reduced to little more than a symbolic force.
“The IRGC is not even a paper tiger anymore,” Harward said on 'America Reports.' “They can fire off a drone or two. Maybe they’ve still got some missiles.”
Harward said recent U.S. strikes have targeted not only Iranian weapons platforms but also the country’s ability to rebuild its arsenal by hitting manufacturing facilities.
“It’s not just the platforms and the missiles,” he said. “It’s all their ability to regenerate it, to produce. The manufacturing plants, they’re going after that as well.”
Harward added that degrading Iran’s military capabilities could make future operations less risky, saying, “You are watching Iran being neutered militarily.”
Released American identified as U.S.-Iranian nonprofit founder Dena Karari
The American citizen President Donald Trump said Iran released Wednesday has been identified as Dena Karari, a U.S.-Iranian citizen and founder of the U.S.-based Children of Mehr Foundation.
Karari’s attorney, Jared Genser, announced she is “now safely out of Iran and on her way back to the United States.”
Genser said Karari had been unable to leave Iran after being accused of collaborating with a hostile state and espionage. He said she was interrogated dozens of times by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security and endured “enormous physical and psychological hardship,” though she was never physically detained.
Genser said Karari’s nonprofit, the Children of Mehr Foundation, provided assistance to impoverished children in Iran through private donations under an Office of Foreign Assets Control license.
“I am beyond excited to report that my client Dena Karari … is now safely out of Iran and on her way back to the United States,” Genser wrote, thanking Trump for helping secure her release.
American’s release would mark first from Iran since 2023, advocacy group says
The American citizen President Donald Trump said was released by Iran on Wednesday would be the first known American freed from Iranian custody since September 2023, according to research by the Foley Foundation.
The Foley Foundation estimates about five Americans remain wrongfully detained in Iran following the release.
Among those publicly identified are Reza Valizadeh, a 49-year-old journalist and dual Iranian-American citizen detained since March 2024, and Kamran Hekmati, a 61-year-old Jewish American held since May 2025.
The advocacy group also reported that three Americans were taken captive by Iran in 2025.The identity of the American released Wednesday has not yet been publicly disclosed.
Israeli foreign minister says Iran, proxies remain regional threat after meeting with House chairman
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Wednesday that he discussed the evolving security situation in the Middle East and the threat posed by Iran and its proxy groups during a meeting with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast.
“It was a pleasure to meet again with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Brian Mast, a steadfast friend of Israel and a true champion of the U.S.-Israel alliance,” Sa’ar wrote on X.
“We discussed the rapidly evolving regional picture, and the ongoing threat Iran and its terror proxies pose to the region,” he added. “I stressed that Israel cannot allow radical forces on our borders threatening our citizens.”
The meeting comes as Israel and the United States continue coordinating on regional security amid escalating tensions with Iran and ongoing U.S. military operations targeting Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump says Iran released wrongfully detained American in 'gesture of goodwill'
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday evening that Iran released an American citizen who had been detained in the country since December 2024.
“Iran has allowed an American Citizen, who was wrongfully detained in December of 2024 under the ‘presidency’ of Sleepy Joe Biden, to leave the Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump said the American is now safely outside Iran and in good condition.“The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!” he added.
The release comes as the U.S. continues pressing Tehran to end attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
IRGC Navy commander vows to keep Strait of Hormuz closed, threatens “severest blows”
An Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy commander vowed Wednesday to maintain Tehran’s strategy of keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed and threatened further attacks against what he called the “aggressor enemy.”
“In response to the commander-in-chief, while maintaining the strategy of keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed, we will inflict the severest blows on the aggressor enemy,” IRGC Navy commander Ali Ozmaei wrote in a post on X, according to Iran International English.
The statement came as U.S. forces intensified pressure on Iran, launching a second wave of strikes Wednesday targeting military capabilities used to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier Wednesday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) also announced it disabled a non-compliant oil tanker attempting to reach an Iranian port after the vessel ignored repeated warnings during enforcement of the renewed U.S. naval blockade.
State Department approves possible $484M C-17 sustainment sale to Kuwait
The State Department approved a possible $484 million foreign military sale to Kuwait to sustain the country’s fleet of C-17 strategic airlifters, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced Wednesday.
The proposed package includes aircraft modifications, spare parts, communications equipment, software, training, technical support, logistics services and other sustainment items for Kuwait’s C-17 fleet.
The State Department said the sale would “support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States” by strengthening the capabilities of Kuwait, a major non-NATO ally.
“Kuwait’s C-17 fleet provides strategic airlift capabilities that directly support U.S. and coalition operations around the world,” the agency said, adding that the sale “will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
Boeing, based in Arlington, Virginia, will serve as the principal contractor if the sale moves forward.
US sanctions IRGC weapons procurement network amid renewed Iran tensions
The Trump administration imposed sanctions Wednesday on four individuals and three entities accused of supporting weapons procurement for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, citing continued Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The State Department said the sanctions target overseas procurement efforts and financial networks that sustain the IRGC’s weapons capabilities.
“Despite good faith efforts by the United States to implement the Memorandum of Understanding, Iran has continued to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, including through attacking commercial vessels,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 13382, which targets weapons of mass destruction proliferators and their supporters. The administration said the action builds on sanctions announced May 8 and June 10 targeting networks that support Iran’s military activities.
“The United States will continue to deny the IRGC and the Iranian government access to resources that sustain their destabilizing activities,” the State Department said.
US disables tanker allegedly violating Iran naval blockade, CENTCOM says
U.S. forces disabled an oil tanker Wednesday after it allegedly attempted to violate the newly reimposed naval blockade on Iranian ports, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
CENTCOM said U.S. forces tracked the Curaçao-flagged tanker M/T Belma as it sailed through international waters toward Iran’s Kharg Island despite repeated warnings.
“The commercial vessel ignored multiple warnings as it attempted to violate the U.S. blockade,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
A U.S. aircraft then “disabled the vessel after firing Hellfire missiles into the ship’s smokestack,” leaving it unable to continue toward Iran, according to CENTCOM.
The military said the action came during the first 24 hours after the U.S. resumed enforcing its naval blockade of vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas. During that period, CENTCOM said it redirected two compliant commercial vessels and disabled one non-compliant vessel.
“U.S. forces remain vigilant and prepared to ensure full compliance,” the statement said.
Trump predicts Iran will be ‘defeated very soon,’ oil could fall to $55
President Donald Trump predicted Wednesday that Iran will be “defeated very soon” and said oil prices could fall to about $55 a barrel once the conflict settles down.
“We’ll have Iran defeated soon. They’ll be defeated very soon,” Trump said during remarks in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Trump said the fighting has not caused the dramatic surge in oil prices some had predicted, noting crude was trading around $79 a barrel.
“A lot of people thought oil would go up to $350 a barrel,” Trump said. “It went up a little bit because I had to take tough action because they did not obey what they’re supposed to obey.”
“When that settles down, I think you’re going to have $55 oil, maybe less,” he added.
Vance rules out US ground invasion of Iran: ‘We’re not in that business anymore’
Vice President JD Vance ruled out sending American ground troops into Iran to overthrow its government, arguing that regime change must come from the Iranian people rather than the U.S. military.
“If the Iranian people want to rise up and change their government, that’s up to them,” Vance said during an appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience.” “But we’re not going to send 150,000 ground troops in order to accomplish a change in a regime.”
“We’re not in that business anymore. We’re just not,” he added.
Vance also warned against allowing Iran to collapse into a failed state like Libya, saying such an outcome could unleash terrorism and send millions of refugees into Europe and the United States.
He said the administration’s immediate goals are to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, protect the flow of oil and gas and prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Trump says Iran wants to meet, leaves open possibility of 'wiping out' IRGC
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran reached out seeking a meeting as he left open the possibility of destroying the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) if negotiations fail.
Asked in an exclusive interview with FOX Business’ Edward Lawrence whether the U.S. could “wipe out” the IRGC as it did ISIS, Trump replied, “Yeah. It does. We will see what’s happening.”
“We received a call just as I was coming here that they want to meet,” Trump said in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. “They always want to meet.”
Trump said Iran’s weapons, missile launchers, drone capacity and manufacturing capabilities have been depleted by nearly 90%, but cautioned the regime remains dangerous.
“They’re nasty people, but they want to make a deal,” Trump said. “And you don’t have to be a genius to realize that when you see what’s happening to them every night. And now, today, we gave them a little daytime shot too.”
The comments came as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) launched a second wave of strikes against Iranian military targets Wednesday afternoon.