The United States launched a second consecutive night of military strikes against Iran on Wednesday, saying the operation was intended to prevent Tehran
from threatening commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes came hours after US President Donald Trump said he believed the interim agreement reached last month to halt fighting with Iran was "over". "US Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X. "The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway." A US official, speaking to Reuters, said Wednesday's operation was larger than the strikes carried out the previous day.
New media post from Donald J. Trump
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) July 8, 2026
( TS: Jul 8 2026, 5:30 PM ET ) pic.twitter.com/6zD4VSHLcb
Firefighter Killed in Iranshahr
Iranian state news agency IRNA reported that a firefighter was killed after facilities at Iranshahr airport in southeastern Iran were struck. According to the deputy governor of Sistan and Baluchestan province, four loud explosions were heard across the city at around 12:30am local time.
After inspecting the site, officials said projectiles had hit the airport's flight facilities building and meteorological station, damaging both structures.
New media post from Donald J. Trump
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) July 8, 2026
( TS: Jul 8 2026, 5:48 PM ET ) pic.twitter.com/5Tt1VjeBDf
New media post from Donald J. Trump
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) July 8, 2026
( TS: Jul 8 2026, 6:06 PM ET ) pic.twitter.com/A7KDjeSUNc
Emergency crews responded immediately, but firefighter Khaled Qaderi, who was on duty at the time, was killed in the attack, IRNA reported. Iranian media also reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, Konarak and Chabahar, with power outages affecting parts of Chabahar. Bandar Abbas is home to Iran's largest commercial port as well as key naval facilities.
Trump Casts Doubt on Ceasefire
Speaking before the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump questioned whether the interim agreement with Iran remained in effect. "It's a very interesting question. To me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them," he said.
Later, he added: "If we make a deal with Iran I'm not sure that will stick. I found them to be very dishonourable people." Despite his remarks, Trump said he did not expect the conflict to return to full-scale war. "Anything that happens is going to be over very quickly ... and will only make it safer, including for oil," he said.
On his Truth Social platform, the US president said the latest military action was a response to attacks on commercial vessels. "This is in retribution for yesterday's bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!" he wrote.
Iran has not claimed responsibility for the attacks on three cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz. However, analysts say Tehran has previously used pressure on shipping lanes to strengthen its negotiating position.
Regional Tensions Escalate
The latest US strikes followed attacks on three cargo vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, which Washington blamed on Iran.
The waterway is one of the world's most important energy routes, carrying around a fifth of global oil supplies before the conflict began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.
Iran said on Wednesday it had carried out attacks on US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait in response to earlier American strikes, although no major damage was reported.
Nournews, an outlet affiliated with Iran's Supreme National Security Council, quoted an unnamed military source as saying Tehran was preparing a "massive attack" on US military bases in the region.
Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei accused Washington of violating the interim agreement by carrying out strikes that challenged what he described as Iran's responsibility for determining arrangements for the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Iran's parliamentary National Security Commission said options under consideration included withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), changing the country's nuclear doctrine and closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the entrance to the Red Sea.
Locations Where Explosions Were Reported
- Bandar Abbas – Mehr News Agency reported an explosion in the major port city. IRIB later said eight explosions were heard, while air defence systems were activated.
- Sirik – State broadcaster IRIB and Mehr reported explosions in the southern city.
- Abu Musa Island – Iranian state television reported explosions on the island.
- Tahrouyi village – State TV reported three additional explosions near the village in southern Sirik.
- Bushehr province – Mehr News Agency reported explosions, while reports said US airstrikes destroyed IRGC barracks in the province.
- Konarak – Mehr reported explosions near the city.
- Chabahar – Explosions were reported by Mehr, while IRNA said power cuts followed the blasts. Fars news agency, quoting a local official, said attacks on the southeastern port of Chabahar targeted maritime traffic control and a depot.
- Iranshahr - Mehr news agency reported that explosions have been heard in the southeastern city of Iranshahr.
- Jask – IRIB reported several explosions.
