Key facts
- The U.S. military has begun strikes against multiple targets in Iran.
- These strikes are a response to Iran's "unwarranted and continued aggression."
- The U.S. military also fired on an oil tanker attempting to breach a blockade.
- Three Indian sailors are missing after the tanker was struck.
- Iran claimed to have attacked targets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
- A U.S. Army helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz after a collision with an Iranian drone.
The U.S. military announced Wednesday it had commenced strikes against "multiple targets in Iran," citing the nation's "unwarranted and continued aggression." This action escalates the ongoing conflict and jeopardizes peace negotiations, with President Donald Trump issuing a warning that Tehran would "pay the price" for stalled discussions.
U.S. Central Command confirmed the strikes, which follow a day after U.S. forces attacked Iran in response to a helicopter crash near the Strait of Hormuz, an incident Trump attributed to the Islamic Republic. Trump also urged Iran to sign a deal to end the war, highlighting his fluctuating approach to the conflict. Earlier on Wednesday, the U.S. military reported firing on an oil tanker attempting to transport oil from Iran, violating a blockade.
Iran has demonstrated resilience despite sustained bombing, leveraging its ability to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as a bargaining chip. Iran's UN envoy, Amir Saeid Iravani, stated that the U.S. should avoid threats if a deal is desired, emphasizing Iran's refusal to negotiate under pressure. Despite the tensions, both nations appear to seek an end to the conflict, provided it can be framed as a domestic victory.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's objectives, including the collapse of Iran's government and its nuclear program, complicate compromise efforts. The conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, has significantly impacted the global economy, driving up energy and food prices. International benchmark crude oil prices exceeded $93 a barrel, a more than 25% increase since the war's inception.
President Trump claimed a "secret mission" had successfully bypassed Iran's blockade, allowing over 100 million barrels of oil to pass through the Strait of Hormuz undetected. The exact military role in this operation remains unclear, though U.S. Central Command stated forces communicate with commercial ships. The U.S. military confirmed precision munitions were used against the engine room of the Palau-flagged vessel M/T Settebello as it attempted to breach the blockade, marking the eighth such vessel disabled by U.S. forces.
India's Foreign Ministry reported three Indian sailors missing and 21 rescued following the strike on the Settebello. U.S. Central Command stated the crew was warned before the vessel was fired upon. Earlier strikes on Wednesday targeted "air defense, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites." Iran reported that U.S. strikes hit water reservoirs in Sirik, temporarily disrupting water supply. Tehran also claimed attacks in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, with Jordan reporting the interception of five missiles targeting an air base hosting American aircraft.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. actions as a violation of sovereignty. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei indicated Iran would reassess its negotiation stance. Mediators, including a Qatari delegation, continued efforts to broker a deal. The exchange of fire followed a U.S. Army helicopter crash near the Strait of Hormuz, which a U.S. official attributed to a collision with an Iranian drone. The helicopter's two crew members were rescued unharmed.
President Trump expressed frustration with the pace of negotiations, warning of consequences for Iran. Iran insists that any deal must end the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, while Israel has escalated its operations against the militant group. Recent Israeli actions in Lebanon have resulted in multiple fatalities.