The United States has launched new strikes against targets in Iran for the second consecutive day, following through on Donald Trump’s promise to “hit them hard again” as a two-month-old ceasefire appears close to collapse.
Key Developments on 10 June
US Central Command announced in a statement that forces began “launching additional self-defence strikes today at 5.15pm ET [10.15pm UK time on Wednesday] against multiple targets in Iran at the Commander in Chief’s direction”.
The two days of strikes followed the downing of a US Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, which the US president has blamed on Iran.
The threats came hours after the two sides had traded fire, drawing neighbouring Gulf states back into an on-and-off war that has consumed the region since late February.
“We hit them hard yesterday and we’re going to hit them hard again today,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday.
Trump, seemingly frustrated by the lack of progress in talks to turn a temporary ceasefire into a permanent truce, added: “We were really close to a deal, but they keep tapping us along, they keep playing us for suckers.”
Defense Secretary Warns of Continued Action
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned US Central Command will “be busy tonight” in order to “advance our military interests and enhance our diplomatic position”.
Hegseth said US bombs would be “dropping on key facilities in Iran”, adding: “That’s not because we want to restart anything we don’t have to restart. That’s because the war department is prepared to set the terms to ensure that we get the kind of terms that President Trump expects.”
Other Major Stories from Wednesday
- Trump says ‘I love the inflation’ – After new data showed inflation jumped to an annual rate of 4.2% in May, the third consecutive monthly increase since the start of the Iran war and a three-year high, Trump said he was not concerned because of recent developments in the conflict.
- Trump pushes to install Bill Pulte as acting intelligence chief – The move has sparked bipartisan congressional backlash and imperiled the reauthorization of a powerful surveillance law set to expire at the end of this week.
- Democrats rally round Platner in Maine – Progressives backed Graham Platner after his primary victory, while Trump helped defeat a Republican who pushed for release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
- Only one in 10 Europeans see US as an ally – A survey suggests European confidence in an American “security guarantee” has hit a historic low, with majorities in all 15 countries doubting US aid if attacked.
- UFC champion banned from White House fight – Middleweight champion Sean Strickland says he was barred from Sunday’s fight card for criticizing Trump, Israel and Epstein.
- Trump signs $70bn immigration act – The package ensures ICE and border patrol funding through 2029.
- House panel to seek testimony from Alan Dershowitz – Representative James Comer announced he would ask Epstein’s former attorney to appear before the committee.
- Measles cases near 2,000 – The US has recorded more than 2,000 confirmed cases so far this year, on track to become the worst year for measles in decades.
- Environmental groups sue over SpaceX – They aim to stop the Trump administration from giving SpaceX more than 700 acres of wildlife refuge in Texas.
- Bill Gates testifies on Epstein – Gates told lawmakers he “never witnessed nor had any indication” that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct.
For more details, explore the full stories linked above.
