The US-Iran conflict continues to escalate with the US military carrying out fourth night of strikes against Iran after President Donald Trump reinstated blockade of Iranian ports. Tehran retaliated by launching a wave of missile and drone strikes targeting US military assets in Bahrain and Kuwait during the fourth wave of its ‘Operation Nasr 2’. The tit-for-tat strikes by the US and Iran have left the interim ceasefire in tatters, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
US Carries Out More Strikes Against Iran, CENTCOM Shares Video
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday said that it completed an additional round of strikes against Iran at 10 pm ET, July 14, hitting dozens of military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian coastal areas.
“U.S. fighter aircraft, drones, and naval vessels launched precision munitions against Iranian missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, and coastal defense systems during the seven-hour wave to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian crews. The strikes took place the same day U.S. forces resumed the naval blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas. The blockade went into effect at 4 p.m. ET today,” the CENTCOM said.
Kuwait, Bahrain Come ‘Under Attack’
The Kuwaiti Army on Wednesday said that it was responding to Iranian missile and drone attacks and urged the public to “adhere to the authorities’ safety and security instructions.” The air defences in Kuwait intercepted “hostile targets” early Wednesday.
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said early Wednesday that its alarm sirens had been activated. In a post on X, the ministry said, “The siren has been sounded. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.”
Trump Threatens Iranian Power Plants, US Reinstates Naval Blockade
US President Donald Trump threatened again to hit Iranian power plants and bridges if Tehran does not return to the negotiating table to end the war started by US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. He told Fox News that Iran’s bridges and power plants could be targets by next week unless negotiations resume. “You better make a deal, or you’re not going to have anything left,” Trump warned.
Meanwhile, the US military early Wednesday reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports. Trump had on Monday announced the blockade to stop “Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving.”
The US first imposed the blockade in mid-April and then lifted it in mid-June, a day after signing the interim deal that set a 60-day period for negotiations over issues like Iran’s nuclear program, but talks have stalled as fighting over the strait has intensified.
Hormuz Will Remain Closed, Declares Iran
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the “end of America’s evils.” In a statement, the IRGC said that the US military hit Iranian bases “under the pretext of hitting offending ships”, referring to the vessels attempting to transit the critical waterway, “to hide its defeat and inability”.
Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, said, “Anyone asking Iran to return the passage through the Strait of Hormuz to normal is making an unreasonable request. The main framework of the understanding was the end of the war against Iran and other fronts, which was violated both on Iranian soil and in Lebanon.”