The United States military launched a series of strikes against targets in southern Iran, including Qeshm Island and ports along the Strait of Hormuz. Washington described the attacks as a proportional response to the downing of an American Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command stated the actions were necessary due to Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression.
Iran retaliated by launching drones and missiles at US military bases in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards reported attacking a base in Jordan and 21 other targets in the Gulf. In response to the escalating hostilities, the Iranian Navy warned that any vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz would be targeted, while the Revolutionary Guard Corps vowed a crushing and decisive response to further attacks.
President Donald Trump warned that the United States would attack Iran very hard if a meaningful peace deal is not finalized. Trump accused Tehran of dragging out negotiations and playing the US for suckers, stating that Iran must now pay the price. While Trump noted that Iran has agreed not to obtain a nuclear weapon, he emphasized that the agreement still needs to be signed.
These clashes mark a significant deterioration of a ceasefire that took effect in April, which the UN secretary general described as having become a lesser-fire. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the military would hit key facilities hard as the US continues additional self-defense strikes. Amid the turmoil, President Trump claimed Iran is completely defeated and announced that the United States has been taking oil out of Iran.