US launches fresh strikes on Iran, Trump warns of stronger military action
Washington, June 11
The United States launched a fresh round of strikes against multiple targets in Iran, with President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warning Tehran that military pressure would intensify unless it agreed to a nuclear deal with Washington.
The latest operation began at 5:15 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, when US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched what it described as additional self-defence strikes against multiple targets in Iran at the direction of President Trump.
"Central Command will be busy tonight because President Trump said we will be hitting Iran hard, and we will be," Hegseth told reporters at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida after meeting CENTCOM commanders. "Iran has a chance to make a good deal, a great deal to codify what they said they've been willing to do, and they haven't been willing to do it."
At the White House, Trump said Iran had failed to follow through on negotiations despite months of talks.
"I've been working with Iran for a number of months, and they should sign the deal," Trump said. "It's a good deal. It doesn't give them the right to have a nuclear weapon. In fact, it totally prohibits them from ever having a nuclear weapon."
The renewed strikes came after Iran shot down a US Army AH-64 Apache helicopter near Oman on Monday. Trump said the helicopter crew had been rescued safely but vowed continued military action.
"We hit them hard yesterday, and we're gonna hit them again hard today," he said. "We'll see what happens with the deal. We were really close to a deal. But they keep tapping us along. They keep playing us for suckers."
CENTCOM said the strikes were launched in response to "Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression". Earlier in the day, the command also announced that US forces had disabled another tanker attempting to transport Iranian oil in violation of an American-led blockade.
According to CENTCOM, a US aircraft fired precision munitions into the engine room of the Palau-flagged tanker M/T Settebello after its crew repeatedly failed to comply with instructions.
Hegseth said military operations around the Strait of Hormuz remained central to US strategy. He claimed that 'Project Freedom' had enabled more than 100 million barrels of oil to transit safely through the waterway under American protection.
"The United States of America controls the Strait of Hormuz," Hegseth said. "We're able to bring oil in and out and other things with partners and have done so now for weeks and weeks in ways the Iranians don't want to acknowledge."
The Pentagon chief said CENTCOM had significantly weakened Iran's military capabilities and warned that additional strikes could follow.
"Iran has an opportunity to make a deal," he said. "President Trump is a deal maker, the best in the world. He's prepared to make that deal. Iran would be wise to take it."
Trump echoed that message, saying military action and diplomacy were being pursued simultaneously.
"Very simply, Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and they won't," he said. "All they have to do is they have to start signing a paper."
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is worrying for India's energy security. Strait of Hormuz is where we get most of our oil from. If Trump is serious about controlling it, our energy prices will shoot up. We need to diversify our energy sources and strengthen relations with Russia and Saudi Arabia. 🛢️
Honestly, I'm tired of the US playing global policeman. Iran says they don't want nukes, the IAEA hasn't found evidence of a weapons program since 2003, and yet here we are again with bombs and threats. Trump is just creating a crisis to distract from domestic issues. India should call for de-escalation through the UN.
The audacity of the US controlling the Strait of Hormuz and calling it "Project Freedom" 😂 Meanwhile, they're the ones who pulled out of the JCPOA deal in 2018 that was working fine. India has good relations with both Iran and the US, we should act as a mediator instead of staying silent.
While the US bombs Iran, let's not forget our own challenges. Pakistan is still harboring terrorists, China is building roads in our territory, and our own economy needs attention. We should condemn these strikes as a violation of international law and demand a peaceful resolution. The world doesn't need another war zone.
I have to say, I'm conflicted. Iran's proxies in Yemen and Iraq have caused chaos, and their missile program is concerning. But this kind of bombing campaign will only strengthen hardliners in Tehran and push them closer to Russia and China. Diplomacy is the only way forward, not more bombs. 🕊
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.