US Launches Second Wave of Strikes on Iran in a Day as Fighting Enters Fifth Straight Day

Iranian officials have described the conflict as an “existential war” and asserted their right to respond militarily. In retaliation, the Iranian military claimed to have engaged US bases in the region

The United States launched a second wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday, targeting what it said were military assets used to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement posted on X, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the latest operation began at 3:00 p.m. ET. “At 3 pm ET, U.S. forces launched operations for a second wave of strikes today against Iran,” CENTCOM said.

“The strikes are targeting Iranian military capabilities used to threaten vessels freely transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, an international waterway vital to global commerce. The US military is holding Iran accountable at the Commander in Chief’s direction,” CENTCOM added

The operation marked the second round of US strikes on Wednesday as fighting between Washington and Tehran entered a fifth consecutive day.

Earlier on Wednesday, CENTCOM said it had launched strikes on Iranian military targets, including “coastal defense systems and cruise missile storage and launch sites” on Greater Tunb island in the Strait of Hormuz.

The US military said the strikes were intended to reduce Iran’s ability to attack commercial vessels passing through the strategically important waterway, a key route for global oil and gas shipments.

The attacks came after Iran targeted American military facilities in the region. On Tuesday, the US military said it had reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and had “redirected” two vessels after restarting the operation. President Donald Trump had also abandoned a brief proposal to impose tolls on commercial shipping in the strait.

In a statement addressed to the Iranian public, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran was engaged in an “existential war” with the United States and accused Washington of attempting to overthrow the Islamic Republic.

Ghalibaf said Iran did not seek conflict but had to remain prepared for both military action and diplomacy.

“As I have repeatedly stated, negotiations at this stage do not amount to capitulation,” he said. “Alongside war, they form part of the strategy of resistance and the protection of the national interest.”

He added that Iran’s next steps would be guided by the country’s supreme leader. “We all have a duty to work for war, diplomacy or both, in accordance with the course he sets.”

Ghalibaf said the renewed fighting centred on whether the United States was honouring the terms of an agreement with Iran concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

He argued that Clause 5 of the agreement formalised what he described as “Iran’s arrangements” for the waterway and accused Washington of attempting to undermine those provisions through military action.

He said Iran had no reason to remain bound by an agreement if its terms were no longer being implemented, adding that the country’s armed forces had “complete freedom of action” to respond to attacks.

Ghalibaf also vowed that Iran would avenge its slain leader and said Tehran would continue pursuing its demands.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had launched attacks on US military targets in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait, according to Iranian state media. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had launched attacks on US military targets in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait, according to Iranian state media. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Jordan’s military said it intercepted and destroyed three Iranian missiles, while authorities in Kuwait and Bahrain said their forces had also intercepted Iranian attacks.

Iranian state media reported that seven members of the country’s military were killed in a US strike on military facilities in southeastern Iran.

Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said on social media that US attacks had also killed more than 30 civilians in recent days, although she did not provide further details.