US launches fresh strikes on Iran after month-long lull

The United States military has resumed strikes against targets in Iran, ending a month-long pause in direct action between the two countries. U.S. Central Command announced on Tuesday that the operations were in response to recent attempted attacks by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members stationed in the region.

This escalation follows a series of exchanges over the weekend. On Sunday, U.S. forces struck rocket launchers positioned on Larak Island, a strategic location in the Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation, Iran launched missiles toward U.S. sites in Jordan, which were intercepted. Separately, the United Arab Emirates reported that it had stopped an Iranian drone over its territorial waters.

President Donald Trump acknowledged on Monday that further military action might be necessary. He described Iran as "a failed nation" due to sustained U.S. and Israeli bombardment, claiming that much of its political leadership had been killed, its economy weakened by surging inflation, and its military severely degraded. However, he left the door open for more strikes, telling reporters, "That doesn't mean we won't smack them. We'll see what happens."

The U.S. and Iran have been engaged in an intermittent conflict for over six months, with the recent lull lasting a month. A return to open hostilities poses significant risks for the region, as Iran has previously targeted U.S. military bases and infrastructure in Gulf countries throughout the conflict.

Iranian state television reported hearing explosions in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas but did not provide further details.