US Military Launches New Strikes on Iran, Denies Strait of Hormuz Closure

In the early hours of Thursday, the US military carried out additional strikes targeting locations in Iran, responding to what it described as "unjustified and ongoing Iranian aggression." Simultaneously, it denied claims that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard had closed the Strait of Hormuz or that a US warship had been attacked there, noting that commercial vessels continue to pass through the strait.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that at 5:15 p.m. Eastern Time, its forces began launching further strikes against multiple targets in Iran, characterizing the actions as "self-defense" under orders from President Donald Trump.

CENTCOM refuted Iranian media reports alleging that the Revolutionary Guard had closed the Strait of Hormuz, affirming that commercial shipping remains uninterrupted. It also dismissed Iranian claims of an attack on a US warship in the strait.

Contrastingly, the Joint Command of the Iranian Armed Forces, known as the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessel passage.

The Iranian Joint Command declared, "Any ship attempting to pass will be targeted. The closure order includes oil tankers and commercial ships."

Trump Reviews Military Options

The announcement of the strikes followed hours after President Trump convened a meeting in the White House Situation Room to consider further military actions against Iran. Trump had told reporters that the United States "will strike them hard again today," according to two US sources cited by Axios.

These sources indicated that one option under consideration involves a large-scale, time-limited military operation aimed at increasing pressure on Iran to change its stance in ongoing negotiations with the United States. No additional details about the potential operation were disclosed.

At the same time, Qatari mediators held talks with Iranian officials in Tehran on Wednesday, seeking to reinvigorate the negotiations between the US and Iran that have been ongoing for several weeks to reach an agreement.

On Tuesday night, the United States had conducted strikes targeting Iranian radar and air defense sites in response to the downing of an American helicopter. According to Axios, those strikes were designed to avoid casualties and to preserve the possibility of continuing diplomatic negotiations.

High-Level Meeting Attendees

The two sources reported that Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Kinne, and Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff participated in the Situation Room meeting alongside several senior US administration officials.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth joined the meeting via video link from the US Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida.

During a visit to US forces in Florida, Hegseth reiterated President Trump's message, stating, "If they do not reach an agreement, we will strike them hard."

Trump's Frustration with Tehran

Axios reported that President Trump has grown increasingly frustrated over the past two weeks due to waiting for a response from Iran to the latest offer presented by his administration as part of the nuclear negotiations.

The report indicated that rising frustration within the White House is prompting the US administration to consider a combination of military and diplomatic pressures to compel Tehran to make a decision regarding the proposed agreement. While the chances for a settlement remain, they face a critical test in the coming days.