The US has launched a fresh wave of strikes against Iran on Monday, marking the third consecutive night of attacks after US President Donald Trump warned Tehran that Washington would “hit them very hard”
amid escalating tensions.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the latest strikes began at 4:45 pm ET on Monday under Trump’s direction, targeting Iranian forces as part of the ongoing military campaign.
“At 4:45 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command began launching the third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, at the Commander in Chief’s direction,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.
The command said the strikes were aimed at imposing a “heavy cost” on Iranian forces and reducing their “ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.”
At 4:45 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command began launching the third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, at the Commander in Chief’s direction. These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 13, 2026
Trump Warns Iran Ahead Of Fresh Strikes
The latest US attacks came shortly after Trump issued a warning during an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, saying American forces were tracking Iranian targets but refusing to reveal operational details.
“We’re going to hit them very hard tonight and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow — and there’s not a damn thing they can do about it,” Trump said.
“They have nothing. They have nothing going other than they have big mouths… I got to know them, and they’re stone cold crazy,” he added.
.@POTUS: “We’re going to hit them very hard tonight and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow — and there’s not a damn thing they can do about it. They have nothing. They have nothing going other than they have big mouths… I got to know them, and they’re stone cold crazy.” https://t.co/vKSOZN3EaI pic.twitter.com/UH8lBL5An3
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 13, 2026
Trump’s comments came as Washington and Tehran exchanged attacks at levels not seen since an April ceasefire.
Shortly after the US military announced the strikes, Iranian state media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas and on Kish Island, though details of the incidents were not immediately clear.
The latest escalation also came as Trump announced the return of a US naval blockade on Iranian ports, with CENTCOM saying the move would begin at 2000 GMT on Tuesday.
Trump said the US would act as the “Guardian of the Hormuz Strait” and impose a 20% fee on cargo passing through the vital waterway.
(With inputs from agencies)
