US Launches Another Round of Strikes on Iran

U.S. forces launched strikes on Iran for a second day in a row on July 8, the U.S. Central Command announced.

“At the direction of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” the U.S. Central Command said in an X post.

“The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway.”

U.S. forces first began striking targets in Iran on July 7 in retaliation for attacks that targeted commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz earlier that day.

Iran has not claimed direct responsibility for the July 7 attacks or other recent attacks targeting commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iranian state media has shared warning messages that the only safe transit of the waterway is through routes administered by Iranian authorities.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded to the U.S. strikes on July 7 by launching drones and missiles at U.S. military outposts in Bahrain and Kuwait. 

Iranian forces also threatened to target parties they deem to be facilitating U.S. aggression toward Iran.

President Donald Trump hinted at the U.S. strikes on Iran earlier on July 8, as he and the heads of the other NATO member states held a summit in the Turkish capital city of Ankara.

Amid the recent skirmishes, Trump cast doubts on any remaining ceasefire and negotiations with Iran.

During a press conference on July 8, Trump said he would consult with his negotiating team before reaching a final decision, but said he feels negotiations are “a waste of time.”

At a final press conference before he departed from Ankara, Trump downplayed the potential ramifications of a ceasefire collapse.

“I think anything that happens is going to be over very quickly, and we’ll only make it safer,” Trump said.

This is a breaking news report and will be updated with additional details.