US launches fresh strikes on Iran as Trump threatens tougher retaliation

The United States has launched a new wave of military strikes against targets in Iran, with explosions reported across several locations along the country's southern coast and President Donald Trump warning Tehran against retaliating.

The US military said the attacks were aimed at targets linked to attempted assaults on shipping in the region. Iranian media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Konarak, Chabahar, Jask, Sirik, Lavan and Asaluyeh.

Trump issued a stark warning to Iran following the strikes, saying the country would face a much stronger response if it retaliated.

"If the failed Nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level," Trump said.

Iranian authorities have vowed to respond, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian army accusing Washington of aggression and warning that the United States would face severe consequences.

Iran's Fars news agency reported that a US strike hit a residential area in the coastal city of Kuhestak, in Hormozgan province.

Further attacks were reported across southern Iran, including locations near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

The governor of Asaluyeh confirmed that an explosion had been heard in the city, according to Fars.

Asaluyeh is one of Iran's most important energy centres and a major hub for the country's gas industry.

Iranian state media also reported further explosions in Bandar Abbas and on Qeshm Island, while blasts were heard on Lavan Island, west of Qeshm.

Iran threatens attacks on US interests

Iran's armed forces said they had launched a military operation in response to the American strikes.

Iranian media outlet Tasnim reported claims from the Iranian army that US bases and interests across the region were being targeted with missiles and drones.

The reports could not immediately be independently verified.

Gulf allies reportedly warned before strikes

Trump said the United States had notified its Gulf allies before launching the latest attacks.

In comments reported by Fox News, Trump also warned Iran against responding militarily and said the USS George Washington was heavily armed and ready for action.

According to US Central Command, the latest strikes began at about 12pm Eastern time, or 16:00 GMT.

The attacks are focused on targets associated with the IRGC, although US officials had not provided a definitive indication of when the operation would end.

Previous US strike waves against Iranian targets have varied in length, depending on their objectives and the facilities being targeted.

Civilian sites reported hit

Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that a fish-powder factory on Qeshm Island was among the sites struck.

It also reported damage to civilian infrastructure in Hormozgan province, including a fishing pier and the port authority tower in Sirik.

IRIB further reported that an airport in Jiroft county in southeastern Iran had been targeted.

The claims have not been independently verified.

Iranian commanders praise air-defence coordination

Major General Ahmad Vahidi said Iran's air-defence forces and the IRGC had demonstrated close coordination during the attacks, Fars reported.

In a message to Brigadier General Alireza Elhami, commander of the Army's Defence Force, Vahidi praised what he described as unprecedented cooperation between the military's air-defence units and the IRGC.

He said Iran had strengthened integrated command networks and continued updating its military technology.

Trump confirms strikes

Trump separately confirmed that the attacks were under way in a social-media post, providing the clearest acknowledgement from Washington of the latest military operation.

CENTCOM had not immediately announced that the strike campaign had concluded.

Iranian officials, meanwhile, continued to threaten retaliation.

IRGC spokesman Sardar Mohebi said the United States would regret the latest attacks and face "severe punishment".

The General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces and the Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters also issued a statement carried by IRIB promising a forceful response.

The statement warned that continued US military action in the region would result in increasingly heavy losses for American forces.

The latest escalation adds to tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important waterways and a critical route for global energy supplies.