U.S. President Donald Trump said late Tuesday that he believes a deal with Iran is still possible, even as American forces continue striking targets in the country and the U.S. military expands its campaign in the region.
The latest round of attacks comes alongside a statement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on X announcing a new wave of strikes against Iran. According to the statement, the attacks "will continue to inflict heavy losses on Iranian forces and undermine their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz."
Trump said the U.S. military is "destroying Iran's offensive capabilities" and added that Washington wants compensation for protecting countries operating in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump Threatens Further Action Against Iran
On Monday, Trump said the United States would restore the blockade on Iran and prevent its ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he wrote that "the Strait of Hormuz is open, and it will remain open, with Iran or without it."
He said all other countries would continue to have free access to the waterway and added that the U.S. would now serve as the "protector of the Strait of Hormuz."
"From now on, the United States will receive a 20% reimbursement on the value of all cargo transported, to cover the costs required to secure the strait," Trump wrote.
Later, Trump said the U.S. would "hit Iran hard tonight and tomorrow."
Natanz Nuclear Site Named as Possible Target
Trump also said that Iran's Natanz nuclear facility could be a target for a major strike.
"The Natanz nuclear facility is a possible target for a big and powerful blow, straight through the front door, and we will probably strike it soon," he said.
According to a document dated Friday and obtained by The New York Times on Tuesday, Trump also formally notified Congress that the fighting with Iran had resumed. The document said Congress had asked the president to either end the war or seek authorization to continue it, but Trump insisted that the sole authority to make that decision rested with him.
Reports of Explosions in Bandar Abbas
Iranian media reported explosions and air-defense activity in several locations across the country. According to the Fars news agency, a missile struck western Bandar Abbas in southeastern Iran, though the provincial governor said there were no casualties.
Earlier, Iranian outlets reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, and additional blasts were reported on the islands of Qeshm, Kish and Abu Musa. Fars also said explosions were heard in the Bushehr area.
Tasnim reported that air-defense systems were activated in Bandar Abbas and that explosions were heard there. The agency also claimed that Iran shot down a U.S. military drone over Hormuz.
UKMTO Reports Tanker Hit Near Oman
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) said a tanker was hit near the coast of Oman by unidentified debris. According to the report, the vessel's crew was not injured.
The incident adds to growing concern over maritime security in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important shipping lanes.
Attack Reported on Kurdish-Iranian Opposition
In eastern Iraq, a base belonging to a Kurdish-Iranian opposition group was attacked in Erbil, according to security sources.
The incident comes amid a broader regional escalation that has raised fears of further spillover beyond Iran's borders.
Regional Tensions Continue to Mount
The combination of U.S. strikes inside Iran, threats against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and reported attacks across the region has intensified fears of a wider conflict.
Governments, shipping operators and energy markets are closely watching developments as Washington and Tehran continue to exchange threats and military action.
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