The United States conducted strikes near Tehran and fired upon a ship attempting to breach a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating a conflict that has seen both nations exchange attacks. In retaliation, Iran launched drone attacks on U.S. military targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan early Thursday.
President Donald Trump, speaking at the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania, indicated a willingness to negotiate but also a readiness for further military action. "They don't like what we're doing, and they do want to settle," Trump stated. "We'll find out whether or not we settle with them, or we just finish it off."
The American strikes targeted Semnan province, an area noted for Iran's ballistic missile production facilities and space program, according to state media. U.S. forces also engaged a Curacao-flagged oil tanker, the Belma, which officials said ignored multiple warnings while en route to Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf. A U.S. aircraft disabled the vessel by striking its smokestack with a missile.
These latest strikes followed days of exchanges between the two countries. Iranian officials reported that the U.S. strikes had resulted in over 35 fatalities and more than 300 injuries. The escalation occurred as President Trump publicly expressed gratitude to Iran for the release of an American woman, Dena Karari, who had been detained since December 2024. Trump described her release as a "gesture of Goodwill."
Previously, Trump had indicated plans for at least two more days of strikes against Iran, stating that such attacks would continue "until I say it's enough." He also mentioned targeting energy infrastructure and bridges in the future, contingent on Iran's willingness to negotiate a peace deal that would include renouncing its nuclear ambitions.
Reports from Tuesday revealed that President Trump met with top military officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a Situation Room meeting to plan a significant military offensive against Iran. The objective of the intensified strikes is reportedly to dismantle Iran's capacity to attack shipping vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The ongoing U.S. airstrikes have primarily focused on Iran's air defense networks, radar systems, and missile batteries. Iran's army reported at least seven personnel killed in strikes on a military base in Bampur, Iran, overnight Wednesday.
Earlier this week, Trump suggested the U.S. would impose a 20 percent tariff for ensuring safe passage through the Persian Gulf, branding the U.S. "The Guardian of the Hormuz Strait." However, he later rescinded this demand, stating instead that the U.S. would pursue "massive" investment deals with Gulf states.