U.S. launches second day of strikes on Iran as Trump warns of escalation

U.S. Central Command launched a second straight day of strikes on Iran after attacks on three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The new round was meant to further degrade Tehran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation. Donald Trump said the cease-fire with Iran was over and warned the United States would probably hit Iran hard again tonight.

Speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump said he was not sure he wanted to make a peace deal and dismissed further talks with Iran as a waste of time. He also signaled that Washington might reimpose a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

The earlier U.S. wave hit more than 80 targets, including Iranian air defenses, command-and-control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities and more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats in and near the strait. The U.S. military said Iran had attacked three commercial ships on Tuesday.

Explosions hit Chabahar, Konarak and Bushehr, and verified video showed blasts and damage in Chabahar. Bushehr houses Iran’s only commercial nuclear power plant and lies near Kharg Island, a major oil-export hub at the center of Tehran’s energy lifeline.

Brent crude jumped almost 8% to above $80 a barrel after Trump’s remarks, while West Texas Intermediate rose more than 7% to about $75.

Iran’s top joint military command threatened a crushing response, called the U.S. strikes a blatant act of aggression and warned against interference in the Strait of Hormuz. The broader war began on February 28, when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, after which Iran struck back at Israel and at Gulf states hosting U.S. bases. The conflict has killed thousands and displaced millions.