US Renews Strikes on
Iran as Trump Warns of Imminent Attack on Underground Nuclear Site
The United States has launched its 11th consecutive night of
military strikes against Iran, escalating tensions as former President Donald
Trump warned that a suspected underground nuclear facility could soon be
targeted. The renewed wave of attacks comes amid growing instability in the
Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, and rising fears of a
broader regional conflict.
US Targets Iranian Military
Infrastructure
According to US Central Command (Centcom), the latest
strikes were aimed at weakening Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping
in the Strait of Hormuz.
Military officials said the operation targeted:
- Iranian
military command centers
- Maritime
capabilities
- Aircraft
hangars
- Drone
storage facilities
- Logistics
infrastructure
Centcom accused Iran of attacking more than 30 commercial
vessels in the past three months, calling the assaults “unwarranted” and
dangerous for global trade.
Despite the escalation, US officials said the Strait of
Hormuz remains open for commercial traffic.
Explosions Reported Across Iran
Iranian state media reported that air defense systems were
activated in Tehran late Tuesday night.
Explosions were also reported in several regions, including:
- Tabriz
in northwestern Iran
- The
southeastern port cities of Chabahar and Konarak
- Bushehr
in southern Iran, home to the country’s only nuclear power plant
Tehran has vowed retaliation and warned Washington against
striking its nuclear facilities.
Trump Signals Possible Strike on Nuclear
Facility
Speaking during a White House meeting with Lebanese
President Joseph Aoun, Trump said the US could soon target an underground
complex near Natanz, reportedly known as “Pickaxe Mountain.”
“We’ll be hitting that area pretty soon, and very heavily,”
Trump told reporters, adding that Iran would be unable to stop such action. Iran’s
Khatam Al-Anbiya military command responded by warning that any attack on
nuclear infrastructure would be seen as an expansion of war across the region.
Officials threatened retaliation against American interests and allies.
Ceasefire Collapses as
Strait of Hormuz Tensions Rise
The latest violence follows the collapse of a ceasefire
agreement signed in April. The truce had aimed to halt military operations and
secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, hostilities resumed last week after clashes over
control of the vital waterway, through which a significant portion of the
world’s oil supply passes. In June, both nations signed a Memorandum of
Understanding to reduce tensions and reopen shipping lanes. But within weeks,
renewed attacks on vessels and retaliatory strikes shattered the fragile
agreement.
Regional Impact: Drone
Interceptions and Oil Price Surge
The conflict is spilling beyond Iran’s borders.
Kuwait reported engaging Iranian drones with its air
defenses early Wednesday. Bahrain and Jordan also said they intercepted drone
and missile attacks.
Meanwhile, oil markets reacted sharply. Crude prices surged
to $94 per barrel amid fears of supply disruptions. The situation worsened
after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels threatened to block the Bab al-Mandab
Strait, a critical gateway to the Red Sea. The Houthis warned Saudi shipping
would be targeted. Following the announcement, at least two oil tankers
carrying Saudi crude rerouted toward the Suez Canal instead of continuing
through the Red Sea, according to maritime risk analysts.
The Red Sea has become increasingly important for oil
shipments as instability in the Strait of Hormuz disrupts normal trade flows.
US Military Costs Climb to $37.5 Billion
The financial toll of the Iran conflict is mounting. US
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers this week that the war has cost
approximately $37.5 billion so far — nearly $8 billion more than May’s
estimate. Hegseth warned that without additional funding from Congress,
military training programs may need to be scaled back. The Pentagon also
confirmed the death of Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28, who had previously been
listed as missing after an Iranian strike in Jordan. He is believed to have
been killed alongside other US service members in recent attacks.
Trump is scheduled to attend a transfer ceremony in Dover,
Delaware, honoring American troops killed in the Middle East. He has vowed that
Iran will pay heavily for US casualties.
Diplomacy Still on the
Table?
Despite the intensifying conflict, US Secretary of State
Marco Rubio said Washington remains open to diplomacy. However, he expressed
skepticism about Tehran’s willingness to engage in serious negotiations. With
airstrikes continuing, oil prices climbing, and regional tensions widening, the
risk of a broader Middle East war is growing by the day.
As both sides signal they are prepared for further
escalation, the world is watching closely to see whether diplomacy can still
prevent a deeper and more dangerous conflict.