US forces launched a fourth consecutive day of strikes against Iran on Tuesday and reimposed a naval blockade to prevent ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports, further escalating tensions between the two countries.
The renewed blockade took effect at 8 p.m. GMT, about an hour after the latest round of strikes began. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation targeted Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM said the strikes were intended to degrade Iran's ability to threaten one of the world's most important oil and gas shipping routes.
The command also accused Iran of attacking seven commercial vessels over the past week, leaving nearly a dozen civilian crew members dead, missing or injured.
US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, withdrew an earlier proposal to impose heavy charges on ships using the Strait of Hormuz but warned that Washington would significantly expand its military campaign if Iran refuses to negotiate.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said US forces would target Iran's power plants and bridges next week unless Tehran returns to the negotiating table.
Iranian state media reported explosions near the port city of Bandar Abbas, on Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz, and in other locations.
Iranian authorities also said earlier US strikes hit four locations in Bushehr, home to Iran's only civilian nuclear power plant, as well as border areas near Iraq and Kuwait.
State news agency IRNA later reported that Iranian forces launched a drone attack on a military base in Jordan that hosts US warplanes.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, said the renewed US naval blockade had effectively undermined a previous agreement with Washington to pause hostilities for peace talks.
The latest developments mark a further deterioration in relations between the two countries as military operations continue across the region.
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