Tensions in the Middle East have sharply escalated, with powerful explosions reported early Thursday along Iran’s southern coastline — hours after the United States confirmed launching a second consecutive night of strikes against Iranian targets.
Trump Claims Iran Reached Out for Talks
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, former U.S. President Donald Trump said Iranian representatives contacted him shortly before dawn, seeking a deal following the latest American military actions. However, he expressed deep skepticism about Tehran’s intentions.
“They called me just a little while ago, and they want so badly to make a deal,” Trump said. “I just don’t know if they deserve to make a deal.”
U.S. Forces Strike ~90 Targets in Iran
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for military operations across the Middle East, confirmed it carried out an additional round of strikes on July 8 — hitting approximately 90 Iranian targets. These included air defense systems, coastal surveillance facilities, missile storage sites, and unmanned aerial systems.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), CENTCOM said the strikes aimed to further degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping and civilian mariners in the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global oil transit chokepoint.
“The Ceasefire Is Over”
Earlier the same day, Trump declared that any ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran had ended — citing Iranian attacks on multiple vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, followed by American retaliatory strikes.
“Every time they hit us, we hit them 20 times,” he stated bluntly.
He warned that the situation could deteriorate significantly if Iran continues targeting ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz — and threatened far more severe consequences should new attacks occur.
“These are retaliatory strikes for yesterday’s ship bombings by Iran. If it happens again, it will be much worse!” Trump wrote on Truth Social, alongside a photo showing smoke rising over what appeared to be a damaged facility in the southern Iranian port city of Shambar.
Strong blasts were heard across several locations along Iran’s southern Gulf coast shortly after the U.S. announced its latest wave of strikes.