The United States military carried out a new wave of strikes on Iranian targets, U.S. Central Command said, deepening a conflict that has drawn in shipping lanes, oil markets and neighboring states across the Persian Gulf.

CENTCOM said the strikes hit sites tied to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and followed fresh attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi and South Korean oil tankers were among the ships hit in the waterway, one of the most important corridors for the world's energy supply.

The fighting quickly widened. Iran launched retaliatory strikes on U.S. positions in Jordan and targets in the United Arab Emirates, according to reporting on the exchange, and pledged to answer the American operation despite warnings from Washington. President Donald Trump said the United States would respond in turn, telling reporters, "We're going to hit them hard," and warning of what he described as the "biggest attack of them all."

Asked about the possibility of nuclear weapons, Trump ruled out their use and said Iran was "totally defeated." A senior administration official said the goal was to "asphyxiate this regime." Vice President JD Vance said an AI-generated video referencing Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export terminal, was intended as a message to Tehran.

The economic effects were immediate. Global oil prices climbed above $94 a barrel after the strikes, reflecting concern that fighting around the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt supply. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States was likely to announce new sanctions on Iranian banks this week.

Attention also turned to the weapons involved. Reporting examined a U.S. missile used in the campaign and an Iranian missile identified as "Castle Breaker" that has been used against U.S. forces.

The conflict has surfaced divisions within the U.S. government. A classified leak revealed dissent over the Iran campaign, including warnings delivered to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, prompting a Pentagon response to the disclosure. The strikes unfolded as the House of Representatives returned to Washington to take up a government funding bill.

Warnings were issued to U.S. citizens amid the escalation, and Iran said it would continue to respond to American operations. Both governments had signaled further action, leaving the trajectory of the conflict uncertain.

References

1. 1.U.S. Central Command — strikes on Revolutionary Guard-linked sites and attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz
2. 2.Wire reporting on the exchange — Iranian retaliatory strikes on Jordan and the UAE
3. 3.President Trump's remarks to reporters — U.S. response, nuclear weapons ruled out, 'totally defeated' comment
4. 4.Vice President JD Vance — AI-generated video referencing Kharg Island
5. 5.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent — likely new sanctions on Iranian banks
6. 6.Oil market reporting — prices above $94 a barrel
7. 7.Reporting on weapons involved — U.S. missile in the campaign and Iranian 'Castle Breaker' missile
8. 8.Reporting on classified leak — dissent over the Iran campaign and Pentagon response