The United States launched a new series of strikes on Iran and targeted sites in allied Gulf nations on Wednesday, hours after President Donald Trump declared a fragile ceasefire "over." Trump stated that Iran was "begging" for a deal but questioned its trustworthiness.
"They want to make a deal so badly. They just called a little while ago. They want to make a deal very badly. I just don't know that they're worthy of making a deal," Trump said, speaking to reporters on Air Force One. He expressed doubt that Tehran would "honor the deal," attributing the ongoing strikes on commercial ships to Iran being "sort of crazy" and "out of control."
These developments followed Iran's targeting of several merchant vessels off the coast of Oman, which in turn prompted retaliatory U.S. strikes. Sirens were heard in Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters, and Kuwait's military reported intercepting incoming drones and missiles. Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait.
The U.S. military's Central Command reported striking approximately 90 targets across Iran, aiming to "further degrade" Tehran's ability to "threaten freedom of navigation" in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. released footage appearing to show strikes on an airport runway and missile launchers.
Iranian state media reported explosions in multiple locations, including Bushehr, which houses a nuclear power plant complex, and several southern port cities. Reports indicated a firefighter was killed at an airport in Iranshahr due to a strike. For the first time since April, U.S. strikes reportedly targeted Iranian bridges, including a railway bridge in Golestan province and two bridges on a route to Mashhad.
Trump had previously stated that the escalating conflict would not lead to "long-term" military action, adding, "Anything that happens is going to happen very fast." He also reiterated past threats to strike Iran's civilian infrastructure, such as electric and desalinization plants, and to seize the oil-production hub of Kharg Island.
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf responded defiantly on X, stating, "America still hasn't learned that bullying and breaking promises are no longer cost-free. Let me put it plainly: if you strike, you'll get hit."
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi countered Trump's remarks on X, calling them "not a sign of power but an admission of the failure" of U.S. policy toward Iran.
Negotiations for a permanent peace deal were scheduled to commence after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the war's initial moments. The funeral, concluding Thursday, was intended to be a period of reduced tensions. Key discussion points in the talks include the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program.
The renewed conflict has impacted global markets, with oil prices surging and U.S. stock market indexes declining after Trump's announcement regarding the ceasefire.