US-Iran conflict flares up again as Tehran fires missiles, drones after new US strikes | Today’s news
The United States and Iran exchanged fire on Tuesday (1 September) as Tehran fired missiles and drones in retaliation for a new wave of US strikes, escalating a conflict that had briefly eased after a month without direct military action.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian forces had launched a “decisive operation” against US bases across the region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the latest fighting “only tightened the lock on the Strait of Hormuz”, according to state broadcaster IRIB.
Explosions were also reported over the southern Jordanian city of Aqaba late on Tuesday as Iran said it was retaliating against US strikes. The news came hours after Washington said it had launched new strikes against Iranian targets.
Trump threatens to hit harder
Quick answers to key questions
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The recent escalation was triggered by Iran launching missiles and drones in retaliation for a new wave of US strikes targeting its forces, specifically the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The Strait of Hormuz is crucial because it is a strategic waterway through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil passes, making it a key element for global energy supplies and a focus of military tension.
The US responded to the attacks on commercial vessels by launching strikes against Iranian targets associated with the IRGC, aimed at countering perceived threats to naval shipping and US personnel in the region.
The US strikes resulted in Iranian retaliation and heightened tensions as Iran vowed to deliver “crushing and devastating blows” in response to the military actions.
Yes, the US should anticipate further military action from Iran, as Iranian officials have indicated a readiness to retaliate with increased force against any US attacks.
President Donald Trump has defended US military action and warned Iran of retaliation.
“If the failed nation of Iran retaliates against this very justified attack, they will be hit again much harder and at a higher level,” Trump said on social media.
US Central Command said the strikes were “limited” and “precise” targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces involved in alleged mine-laying preparations near the Strait of Hormuz.
Wedding hit in southern Iran
Iranian officials said one US strike hit a house in Kuhestak in the southern Iranian province of Hormozgan, where a wedding was taking place.
Iran’s Red Crescent said four people, including a child, were killed and more than 50 injured.
The Red Crescent said shrapnel from a US missile strike hit a residential building during a wedding ceremony. Iranian state media also released a video showing extensive debris at a site it identified.
Iranian state television also reported US strikes on a fishmeal factory on Qeshm Island, a fishing pier and a Ports and Maritime Organization tower in Sirik.
It further said that the projectile hit an area outside Jiroft Airport in Kerman province and did not cause any casualties or damage to airport infrastructure.
Iran promises ‘devastating blows’
The General Staff of Iran’s armed forces and the Joint Military Command warned that the country would launch what it called “crushing and devastating strikes” against the United States.
The Revolutionary Guards said the latest attacks strengthened Iran’s resolve and tightened its effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The strategic waterway is a key global oil route through which about 20% of the world’s oil normally passes.
Explosions were reported in several southern coastal areas, including Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island.
There is a threat of an extension of the fighting
Tuesday’s attacks followed Sunday’s US strikes, ending a month without direct military action.
On Sunday, the U.S. Central Command said U.S. forces hit Iranian rocket launchers that were preparing to launch sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran responded by firing missiles at American positions in Jordan. The missiles were intercepted, while the United Arab Emirates said it had stopped an Iranian drone over its waters.
Washington continues to describe the strikes as limited, but Trump has warned that more strikes may be necessary.
Hopes for a truce are fading
The renewed fighting comes despite Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian saying earlier on Tuesday that Tehran was ready to return to an interim ceasefire agreement if Washington did the same.
“If the US returns to its commitments in the memorandum of understanding, the Islamic Republic of Iran will immediately reciprocate,” Iranian state media quoted Pezeshkian as saying.
The June agreement called for an immediate ceasefire and a 60-day negotiation period to reach a broader settlement. The arrangement later collapsed and sporadic fighting continued around the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump appeared to shift to economic pressure on Iran in recent weeks, relying more on sanctions to force Tehran to make concessions.
A return to military action threatens to derail this approach and plunge the conflict into another long-term escalation.
Oil prices are rising
Renewed fighting has already pushed oil prices higher.
Oil prices rose about 7% this week before Tuesday’s strikes and have rallied more than 50% this year.
The Strait of Hormuz is a focus of interest because of its importance to global energy supplies. Any longer outage could further push up oil and gasoline prices around the world.
In the U.S., the average price of regular gasoline reached about $4.10 a gallon, compared with $3.19 a year earlier, according to AAA.
Read also | Trump Threatens Iran: “Biggest Attack Waiting in the Wings”
