The United States launched a new round of military strikes against Iran, with US Central Command (CENTCOM) saying the operation was ordered by President Donald Trump and aimed at further reducing Tehran’s military capabilities. This is the tenth consecutive night of US strikes on Iran.
In a post on X on Monday, CENTCOM said: “Today at 4 pm ET, US forces began a new round of strikes against Iran at the Commander in Chief’s direction.” “The strikes are designed to further degrade Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” it added.
The strikes come amid escalating hostilities between Washington and Tehran following the deaths of three US service members over the weekend.
Explosions Reported Across Iran
Shortly after the CENTCOM announcement, Iran’s state broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), reported an explosion in the Bemani district of Hormozgan Province, located along the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz.
IRIB also cited unofficial sources as saying multiple explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas and on Qeshm Island, both in Hormozgan Province.
The broadcaster did not immediately provide details on the cause of the explosions or report any casualties or damage.
Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency separately reported multiple explosions in Chabahar in eastern Iran, as well as a series of explosions on Qeshm Island.
State television also reported explosions in Bandar Abbas.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Mehr News Agency said air defence systems had been activated near the Bushehr nuclear power plant. A loud explosion was also heard in Isfahan, according to the Mehr news agency.
Separately, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that air defence systems had also been activated in the southwestern port city of Bushehr to counter what it described as hostile aircraft.
Quoting Bushehr Governor Mohammad Mozaffari, IRNA said “no impacts have been reported.” The Bushehr nuclear power plant is located on the Persian Gulf coast, approximately 11 miles south of the city.
Jordan Intercepts Missiles
Jordan’s armed forces intercepted three missiles on Monday, according to the state-run Jordan Radio and Television Corporation. The broadcaster said no injuries or damage had been reported.
The interception came after a weekend of intensified attacks on US forces in Jordan, including an Iranian missile strike that killed two American soldiers.
Trump Vows Retaliation
President Donald Trump vowed a forceful response following the deaths of US troops. “Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!” he wrote on Truth Social.
He added that he had issued instructions to senior military leaders. “This directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and every Leader in the Military,” Trump wrote.
The Pentagon has confirmed three US military deaths over the weekend, including two service members killed in Jordan and another in northern Iraq.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue
Despite the latest escalation, Iran said mediation efforts were continuing. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said “ideas from some mediators have been conveyed” to Tehran but did not identify the countries involved or provide further details.
Iran also announced that Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni was travelling to Pakistan on Monday. According to the semi-official Iranian Students’ News Agency, Qatar and Pakistan — which have been acting as intermediaries — are seeking a return to the US and Iranian positions that existed before 9 July as an initial step towards de-escalation.
Fighting over control of the Strait of Hormuz began on that date, effectively ending the interim peace agreement signed last month.
Reuters reported that mediators had proposed a 10-day ceasefire. However, a US official told Reuters that President Trump remained focused on retaliating against Iran over attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The official said US military strikes would continue until the president decided otherwise, while diplomatic efforts to end the conflict also remained under way.