The U.S. military launched another round of airstrikes against Iran on Wednesday, striking what it called "multiple targets in Iran" in response to what it described as Iran's "unwarranted and continued aggression." The strikes marked the second consecutive day of American attacks and the third exchange of fire this week, testing a two-month ceasefire that had been in place.
According to NPR, U.S. Central Command announced the strikes in a social media post. Hours before the American attacks, Iran fired on Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, all of which host U.S. troops. The day prior, the U.S. struck Iran following the crash of an Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, which President Trump blamed on the Islamic Republic.
Iranian media reported that explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas, Sirik and Minab, cities in the south of the country. Trump warned that Tehran would "pay the price" for stalled negotiations, while also saying earlier this week that a deal could be reached in a matter of days.
Iran's position at the U.N. was firm. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani told the Security Council on Wednesday that "Iran has never negotiated under threats and pressure and will never submit to pressure or question."
Trump disclosed Wednesday that the U.S. military has been running what he described as a "secret mission" since last month to move oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz past Iranian forces. He said ships were passing through at night, aided by the destruction of Iranian radar equipment, and claimed more than 100 million barrels of oil had cleared Iran's blockade. There was no immediate confirmation of that figure.
Iran has proved resilient despite weeks of heavy bombing. The country controls access to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global oil and natural gas shipments, and has used that leverage as a bargaining chip. The international benchmark for crude oil traded above $93 a barrel on Wednesday, more than 25% higher than at the start of the war in late February.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has complicated prospects for any settlement. He has pressed for the collapse of Iran's government, the elimination of its nuclear program, and the destruction of Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran and Israel struck each other on Monday.
