US launches new strikes against Iran as war escalates

Notably, the United States military notes it is conducting new strikes against Iran as fighting renews between the two countries.

Key points

• The Middle East-based Central Command (CENTCOM) of the US military remarked on Tuesday that it was hitting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets.
• Iranian semiofficial news agency Tasnim documented explosions in the south of the country, including in Konarak, Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island.
• On Monday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) remarked an oil tanker was hit by three "unknown projectiles" while transiting through Hormuz.
• The fighting on Sunday saw the first attacks by both countries since July.
• But Iran continues to assert its control over Hormuz – a major artery for the global energy trade.

Notably, the Middle East-based Central Command (CENTCOM) of the US military remarked on Tuesday that it was hitting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets.

"The strikes follow recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region, " CENTCOM remarked.

Iran has previously responded to similar US attacks, so the strikes risk sparking a new cycle of fighting.

Tuesday's strikes follow an exchange of attacks on Sunday when the US military struck Larak Island in southern Iran and Tehran retaliated with missile launches against a base housing American troops in Jordan.

For context, the fighting on Sunday saw the first attacks by both countries since July. According to The administration of US President Donald Trump had, it was shifting its strategy from military strikes to intense economic pressure on Iran.

In practice, the US has imposed a naval siege on Iranian ports while threatening Tehran's trade partners with secondary sanctions.

But Iran continues to assert its control over Hormuz – a major artery for the global energy trade. Nevertheless, in recent weeks, Trump and his aides have stated that the US is managing to obtain millions of barrels of oil through the strait daily despite the Iranian blockade.

Still, attacks on ships around the strait have been documented almost daily.

In short, US launches new strikes against Iran as war escalates is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.