The United States conducted further strikes near Tehran on Wednesday night and fired on a vessel attempting to breach a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating regional tensions. In response, Iran launched drone attacks early Thursday targeting U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.
President Donald Trump indicated a more aggressive stance, stating that the U.S. would "just finish it off" if Iran did not agree to a settlement. Speaking at the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania, Trump remarked, "They don't like what we're doing, and they do want to settle. We'll find out whether or not we settle with them, or we just finish it off."
Sources indicated the American attacks late Wednesday were directed at Semnan province, an area associated with Iran's ballistic missile production and space program. Simultaneously, U.S. military aircraft disabled a Curacao-flagged oil tanker, identified as the Belma, which was reportedly heading toward Iran's main oil export terminal at Kharg Island and disregarded multiple warnings.
Military Operations and Iranian Response
U.S. officials confirmed that the ongoing airstrikes are intended to dismantle Iran's capacity to attack commercial vessels in the vital Strait of Hormuz. The primary targets have been Iran's air defense networks, radar systems, anti-ship missile batteries, and drone launch sites. Iran's army reported that at least seven personnel were killed in strikes on a military base in Bampur overnight.
President Trump stated in an interview with Fox News Channel that the U.S. planned to conduct at least two more days of strikes, continuing until he deemed it sufficient. He also mentioned targeting energy infrastructure and bridges in the coming weeks if Iran did not negotiate a peace deal that included abandoning its nuclear ambitions.
Diplomatic Developments and Personnel Exchange
The exchange of hostilities occurred shortly after President Trump expressed gratitude towards Iran for the release of an American woman, Dena Karari, who had been detained since December 2024. Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday that the woman was in "good condition" and that the U.S. appreciated the "gesture of Goodwill by Iran."
Karari's attorney, Jared Genser, confirmed her release on X, stating she had been held on "bogus charges" and thanking Trump for his role in her freedom.
Strategic Planning and Economic Considerations
Reports also indicated that President Trump met with top military officials in a Situation Room meeting on Tuesday to discuss a significant military offensive against Iran, which sources suggest would surpass current operations around the Strait of Hormuz. Attendees reportedly included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine.
Earlier in the week, Trump had announced that the U.S. would impose a 20 percent tariff for securing safe passage for commercial vessels through the Persian Gulf, intending for the U.S. to be known as "The Guardian of the Hormuz Strait." However, he later rescinded the tariff, stating that the U.S. would instead pursue "massive" investment deals with Gulf states.