US Strikes Target Iran for Ninth Consecutive Night After Soldier Deaths
The United States has carried out a new wave of airstrikes against Iran for the ninth consecutive night, according to US Central Command (Centcom). The strikes were described as hitting Iran 'very hard' by US President Donald Trump, who said they were conducted 'in honour' of three American soldiers killed in recent incidents — two in Jordan and one in Iraq.
In the early hours of Monday local time, Centcom stated that the US had targeted military sites and communications networks to 'further diminish' Iran's attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with what it called a 'surprise attack' in Syria, targeting US aircraft at Jordan's Aqaba airport, according to Iranian state media.
Kuwait's armed forces reported intercepting Iranian drones in the region. Meanwhile, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said several cities were hit, including Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr, and Bandar Imam Khomeini. Iranian state media also reported explosions on two oil tankers attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that the tankers were using an 'unsafe and hazardous southern route' and 'exploded and were brought to a halt.' Centcom disputed these claims. The IRGC warned that the strait 'will not be safe for the transit of petrochemical products, nor even a single drop of oil and gas' as long as US strikes continue, and threatened a 'punitive operation.'
Over the weekend, the US confirmed the death of a service member in an Iranian attack in northern Iraq on Saturday. This followed an attack on a base in Jordan on Friday that killed two soldiers, identified by the Pentagon as Private Isabella Gonzales, 19, and Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25. A third service member is missing, and US officials say 'unidentified remains' have been found during the search.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US 'always remains open to a diplomatic solution' but added that 'the world has to decide whether or not it's going to allow an international waterway to be under the control' of Iran, accusing Tehran of using the shipping route as leverage. His remarks come as a preliminary deal to halt fighting, reached in mid-June, has unraveled. Negotiations for a permanent peace have stalled after President Trump declared the agreement 'over' on 8 July.
