US forces have launched a fresh round of strikes against Iran on the orders of President Donald Trump, following his declaration that the interim ceasefire was over. The renewed hostilities, centered on the strategic Strait of Hormuz waterway, have led to another spike in oil prices.
Trump Brands Tehran Regime 'Scum'
Speaking at the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump threatened further attacks and branded the Tehran regime as “scum” and “dishonourable.” He stated, “I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them any more. They’re scum. They’re sick people. They’re led by sick people and they’re vicious, violent people. And if they had a nuclear weapon, they’d use it.” However, he indicated he would allow negotiations to continue.
Renewed Hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz
The latest flare-up began on Tuesday after Iran targeted three tankers in the vital Strait of Hormuz, a flashpoint in the fragile truce. The US responded by hitting more than 80 targets, while Iranian forces retaliated by attacking American military sites in the Gulf.
As Trump started his journey home from Ankara on Wednesday, the US military stated: “At the direction of the commander in chief, US Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway.”
Trump's Threat of Further Retaliation
Trump also reposted on his Truth Social platform a picture of buildings in flames billowing thick black smoke, purportedly in Iran, with the message: “This is retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships. If it happens again, it will get much worse.” He later added, “We hit them very hard last night. We’ll probably hit them hard again tonight.” The president repeated his threat to destroy bridges, water treatment plants, and power stations, and suggested the US could reimpose its blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran's Defiant Response
In a defiant post on X, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said: “The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We don’t fold.”
Impact on Global Shipping and Oil Prices
The latest exchange of fire threatens to disrupt shipping transiting the Gulf channel and complicate efforts to secure a permanent end to the conflict, which was launched by the US and Israel on February 28. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for a return to the ceasefire and warned that UK household bills would likely be hit unless the situation improved.
Background on the Strait of Hormuz Deal
Ending Tehran’s stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz—which had disrupted global oil and gas supplies and driven up fuel and food prices—was a key demand in previous negotiations. The initial deal between the US and Iran secured safe, toll-free passage of the waterway for 60 days, pending a final agreement on Tehran’s disputed nuclear plans. The pact also leaves it to Iran and Oman, in conjunction with other Gulf states, to “define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz.” Meanwhile, Iran has continued to exert leverage over the channel, including demanding ships seek permission to transit and raising the specter of future charges.
