Blasts reported in Iran as US launches new wave of strikes
The US has launched a new wave of attacks against Iran for a sixth consecutive night, the military said, as the two sides continue to fight for control of the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command (Centcom) said in a statement on Thursday that the strikes were aimed at “further weakening Iran’s military capabilities.”
Iranian state media reported that US missiles hit the Gulf island of Qeshm near the Strait of Hormuz, as well as Bandar Abbas and Bushehr, where the nuclear power plant is located.
This came after the two sides exchanged strikes overnight and renewed hostilities made a preliminary agreement to end the war more difficult.
US President Donald Trump is open to negotiations with Iran, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday.
“The President will hold them accountable when they turn their backs on their words to the United States. But at the same time, he is always open to diplomacy,” he told reporters.
Stating that Iran still wants to make a deal with the USA, he said, “We are talking to them, but still the President will not allow them to open fire on the ships in the strait without paying a price.” he said.
While attacks have increased, the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway off the coast of Iran that Tehran has effectively closed in response to US-Israeli attacks, has remained closed.
Early on Thursday, Tehran announced that it had hit US military bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, while the US said it had launched a six-hour wave of attacks on many points in the strait.
These exchanges came after Trump warned Iran that it needed to “behave better” or face further military intervention if Iran did not return to negotiations.
Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammed Bagher Galibaf, told state media there was “no reason” for Tehran to abide by any agreement that does not benefit the country.
He added that Iran’s national security depends on maintaining what he described as “Iranian arrangements” in the Strait of Hormuz.
