The United States Central Command announced a new wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday morning, escalating a conflict that has seen the two countries exchange fire for four consecutive days. The strikes began at 6 a.m. ET and are intended to degrade Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement on X from CENTCOM.
Trump Renews Threat to Civilian Infrastructure
The military action came just hours after President Donald Trump issued a chilling threat to Tehran, vowing to target bridges and power plants unless Iran returns to negotiations. In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday evening, Trump said: “Next week comes the bridges. We are going to knock out all their power plants. We will knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate.”
This marks the second time in three months that Trump has threatened to bomb civilian infrastructure in Iran. In April, he posted on Truth Social: “A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will.”
Escalating Conflict in the Strait of Hormuz
The renewed threats and strikes come amid a sharp escalation in hostilities. Earlier this week, Trump withdrew a proposed plan to impose a 20% fee on all cargo shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but simultaneously intensified pressure by reinstating a naval blockade of Iranian ports. On Monday, he declared the US the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz and vowed to charge a 20% fee on cargo to pay for protection, before reversing that decision in a later Truth Social post.
In his latest post, Trump wrote: “I have decided to replace the 20% United States Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making into the United States. Those Investments will be MASSIVE but, at the same time, extraordinarily good for them, and their future.”
Impact on Iran’s Economy and Regional Stability
The naval blockade aims to increase economic pressure on Iran, disrupting its maritime trade and deepening the strain on its already fragile economy. The strikes and threats have heightened tensions in the region, with Iran previously pulling out of a Memorandum of Understanding to “take control” of the Strait of Hormuz “no matter what.” The situation remains volatile as both sides continue to exchange fire.
