The confrontation between the United States and Iran has entered a new stage of escalation, following new airstrikes by the U.S. military on Saturday targeting sites in southern Iran. This marks the first major attack since the collapse of the memorandum of understanding between the two countries. President Donald Trump stated that the aim of the operations is to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, expressing indifference to Iran's announcement of abandoning the agreement.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the strikes began at 10 PM GMT, stating they aim to "undermine Iran's ability to threaten commercial navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," and to punish the Revolutionary Guard following an attack that resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers in Jordan.
In contrast, Iranian media reported explosions heard in the cities of Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, and Bandar Lengeh, as well as targeting areas near the cities of Sirik and Hajjiabad in the south of the country, without an official report on casualties.
In his first comments, President Donald Trump, speaking with "News Nation," said the two American soldiers killed "died in the service of our country," emphasizing that the main objective of the conflict is "to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon."
Responding to Tehran's announcement of no longer adhering to the memorandum with Washington, Trump stated, "I don't care at all."
Alongside the strikes, CENTCOM confirmed the continuation of naval operations in the region, noting that its forces continue to enforce a maritime blockade on Iran. They rerouted five commercial ships and disabled another up to July 18 as part of protecting navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
This escalation comes hours after CENTCOM reported the death of two American soldiers and the loss of a third following an Iranian attack targeting U.S. forces in Jordan, a development Washington viewed as an overreach necessitating a direct military response.