US and Iran Trade Heavy Strikes, Trump Declares Ceasefire ‘Over’ After 80+ Attacks Each
The United States and Iran launched more than 80 attacks against each other over 48 hours, with President Donald Trump declaring the April ceasefire “over” and threatening to seize Iran’s main oil terminal on Kharg Island.
The escalation began after Iran allegedly attacked three civilian commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that carries about 20% of the world’s oil [191904]. In response, the US military launched “powerful attacks” on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation, according to US Central Command [192022][192064].
US strikes hit the Iranian port cities of Sirik, Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, and Bandar Mahshahr, targeting air defense systems, coastal surveillance, missiles, and drone launch platforms [191904][192064]. Iran confirmed at least nine soldiers died in the strikes [191904].
Iran retaliated by attacking US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, including the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain and the Ali Al Salem air base in Kuwait [191904]. Kuwait condemned the “repetition of Iran’s criminal aggression” [191904].
Speaking at a NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said the ceasefire agreement with Iran “is over” and called Iranian leaders “sick people” and “garbage” [191904]. He threatened new strikes and said the US could take Iran’s main oil terminal on Kharg Island [191904]. Trump also warned that the coming US action “will hit them hard” [192099].
Iran responded by threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz completely. A security source told Press TV: “Iran is ready to fight for control of Hormuz. After any attack, the strait will be totally closed. Iran will also hit enemy targets at least double the number we hit before” [191904]. Iran’s deputy foreign minister said the latest US actions “will not go unanswered” [192064].
Both sides accused each other of breaking the ceasefire signed in April [192186]. The US and Iran had signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18 and had 60 days to reach a final deal, but talks paused for the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in earlier US-Israeli strikes [191904].
Analysts say Iran sees control of the Strait of Hormuz as its “weapon of mass disruption” and is determined not to give up this influence [191904]. The US Central Command said more than 20 US warships are patrolling the region’s waters [191904].