The United States launched another round of military strikes against Iran on Wednesday after Tehran attacked commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz, further escalating tensions and casting doubt over any renewed diplomatic breakthrough.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X that the strikes were carried out in response to recent attacks on commercial shipping.
“The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway.”
The latest military action came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested he was no longer interested in pursuing a deal with Tehran, declaring the fledgling U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement was "over" following renewed hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at a press conference in Ankara, Turkey, during a NATO summit, Trump questioned whether diplomacy remained worthwhile.
He said he had initially believed Iran's current leadership was more rational than previous leaders killed earlier in the conflict, but said recent actions had changed his assessment.
“But based on their actions over the last week or two, they’re not, they’re not doing a service to the people, and I think more than anything else is, I got to know them.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump formally declared the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement "over" after Iran attacked three commercial vessels operating in or near the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. Central Command and the Joint Maritime Information Center.
Following the attacks, Washington revoked its sanctions waiver that had temporarily allowed Iranian oil exports under the ceasefire agreement reached last month.
The U.S. then launched dozens of retaliatory strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure and small naval vessels.
The Strait of Hormuz remains the central flashpoint in the conflict, carrying a significant share of the world's seaborne oil trade. Iran has sought to leverage its strategic position by threatening to restrict access to the waterway and impose tolls on passing vessels, prompting the U.S. to respond with a naval blockade of Iranian ports in the region.
Under the now-collapsed ceasefire agreement, the United States had agreed to lift the blockade, while Iran pledged to make its "best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels" through the Gulf.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei accused Washington of violating that agreement, arguing the deal recognised Iran's authority over shipping arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will steadfastly pursue the protection of its national interests and the exercise of its sovereignty.”
