Hormuz tankers on fire, as US, Iran continue attacks: What’s the latest?

The United States continued its attacks on Iran for a tenth consecutive night early Tuesday, targeting military command centers, maritime capabilities, and missile and drone launch sites. Explosions were reported on Qeshm Island, in Bandar Abbas, Bandar Lengeh, and Shiraz. Iran retaliated by striking US military assets in the Gulf and attacking Bahrain and Kuwait. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also reported massive fires on two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The White House indicated that US attacks would persist unless President Trump decided otherwise.

The United States and Iran are engaged in an escalating conflict, with both sides striking targets in an effort to gain military dominance over the Strait of Hormuz. The US has attacked Iranian roads, bridges, and power plants, while Iran has responded by hitting US military bases in neighboring countries. These strikes have also impacted civilian infrastructure, raising concerns about violations of international law. International humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions, prohibits attacks on civilian objects unless they are being used for military purposes and their destruction offers a definite military advantage, with proportionality being a key consideration. The UN Secretary-General has expressed concern over attacks on civilian infrastructure in the region.

The US military has conducted strikes on Iran for the seventh consecutive night, stating the actions are intended to degrade Iranian military capabilities. These strikes follow President Trump's declaration that a temporary ceasefire agreement is "over." Iran's Revolutionary Guards reported explosions near the Strait of Hormuz, claiming two oil tankers exploded in a mined shipping channel, a claim dismissed as false by the US military's Central Command (Centcom). Iranian media also reported explosions in Yazd, Qeshm island, and Bandar Abbas. Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which handles a significant portion of global oil and LNG supplies, has largely halted due to these ongoing retaliatory strikes. Earlier, Iran claimed to have attacked US military facilities in several Gulf countries, which the US denied.

Iran has accused the United States of striking critical infrastructure, specifically a desalination plant in Jask, which has left 10,000 people without water. This escalation follows US President Donald Trump's declaration that the peace deal with Iran is over. In retaliation, Iran launched drones and missiles at US-allied Gulf states, including Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. Kuwait reported damage to two power and water desalination plants, while Bahrain and Jordan confirmed Iranian missile interceptions and attacks on military sites. The US military's Central Command stated it conducted strikes on surveillance sites, military logistics, and maritime capabilities in Iran. The conflict intensified after Iran's attacks on tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, leading to the reimposition of sanctions by the US.

Two U.S. service members were killed and one is missing following an attack on a base in Jordan on Friday. The U.S. military announced these casualties on Saturday, marking the first American troop deaths from direct Iranian fire since the war's early days. The attack involved Iranian ballistic missile and drone strikes, which U.S. and partner forces defended against. Four other service members who were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals have since been discharged. The identities of the deceased have not yet been released.

The US military launched its seventh consecutive night of strikes on Iran, targeting military capabilities and infrastructure, including bridges, a port tower, electrical facilities, and an airport. These actions, which began Friday evening GMT, are intended to degrade Iranian military capabilities and are part of an escalated conflict over the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported at least seven deaths from earlier airstrikes on bridges. The US military stated the strikes were designed to continue degrading Iranian military capabilities. Iran's energy ministry urged citizens to conserve electricity due to strain on the power grid. The renewed fighting has resulted in at least 38 deaths and over 400 wounded in Iran by Friday morning, according to Iran's health ministry. The IRGC threatened a "devastating price" for countries hosting US bases if attacks on infrastructure continue.

On Thursday, the United States and Iran engaged in renewed hostilities in the Middle East, specifically around the Strait of Hormuz. The US conducted strikes targeting Iran, aiming to "further degrade Iranian military capabilities," marking the sixth consecutive night of American attacks. Concurrently, Iran attacked US allies in the Gulf. This escalation occurred one month after a preliminary deal was signed with the intention of ending the conflict, which initially began in late February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

President Donald Trump has threatened to expand US strikes on Iran next week, targeting power plants and bridges if Tehran does not agree to a deal amid ongoing disputes over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump stated in a Fox News interview that these actions would occur unless Iran agrees to negotiate. This follows several days of US strikes aimed at degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the strait. Iranian state media reported explosions near Bandar Abbas and other locations, and also claimed Iranian forces launched a drone attack on a military base in Jordan. Trump previously backed down from a threatened toll on ships in the strait, replacing it with investment and trade deals with Gulf Arab states, while continuing a blockade on Iranian ports.