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The United States launched strikes on southern Iran on Thursday following President Donald Trump’s warning that Washington would “finish the job” if Tehran failed to agree to a peace deal.
Iranian state media reported that three loud explosions were heard in the port city of Bandar Abbas in the early hours of the morning. The latest incident came after earlier US strikes earlier in the week, which have heightened uncertainty around ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a provisional peace agreement.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that American Central Command forces intercepted four Iranian one-way attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz, describing them as a threat to shipping routes in the area.
The official also said US forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was preparing to launch a fifth drone.
Despite the escalation, Iranian officials said on Wednesday that the likelihood of a full return to war remained low, although the military remained on alert.
President Trump said during a televised cabinet meeting that Iran still wanted a deal but had not yet reached agreement with Washington. He added, “Either that or we’ll have to just finish the job.”
Tensions remain high over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor that Iran has restricted, while wider regional conflict continues to involve Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, further fuelling instability across the Middle East.
