US launches fresh strikes on Iran, as Trump warns of retaliation for deaths of soldiers

BBC Middle East World 07/21/2026, 05:09 Score 9/10

Summary

The US says the attacks were aimed at degrading Iran's capabilities to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Original Text

PublishedPublished18 minutes ago18 minutes ago

The US military says it has begun a new round of strikes against Iran to "further degrade" its capabilities to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.The US military says it has begun a new round of strikes against Iran to "further degrade" its capabilities to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The strikes - the 10th consecutive night of attacks - come after US President Donald Trump vowed to punish Iran for the deaths of US soldiers, saying it would pay "many times over".The strikes - the 10th consecutive night of attacks - come after US President Donald Trump vowed to punish Iran for the deaths of US soldiers, saying it would pay "many times over".

He earlier said Iran had been hit "very hard&He earlier said Iran had been hit "very hard" the previous nightquot; the previous night "in honour" of three US soldiers killed recently - two in Jordan and one in Iraq. Iran's military and communications sites were struck. "in honour" of three US soldiers killed recently - two in Jordan and one in Iraq. Iran's military and communications sites were struck.

Iran said it had targeted sites in Bahrain, Jordan and Syria, with President Masoud Pezeshkian saying Iran was now fighting a "full-scale war" with the US.Iran said it had targeted sites in Bahrain, Jordan and Syria, with President Masoud Pezeshkian saying Iran was now fighting a "full-scale war" with the US.

At the same time, Tehran said diplomatic messages were still being exchanged by both sides through intermediaries, despite a collapse of a ceasefire.At the same time, Tehran said diplomatic messages were still being exchanged by both sides through intermediaries, despite a collapse of a ceasefire.

Elsewhere in the region, Jordan's military said late on Monday it had shot down three Iranian missiles as sirens sounded across the country warning of incoming fire.Elsewhere in the region, Jordan's military said late on Monday it had shot down three Iranian missiles as sirens sounded across the country warning of incoming fire.

Earlier in the day, Kuwait's armed forces said they had intercepted Iranian drones.Earlier in the day, Kuwait's armed forces said they had intercepted Iranian drones.

Bahrain said drones launched by Iran had targeted its air navigation systems - but traffic remained unaffected.Bahrain said drones launched by Iran had targeted its air navigation systems - but traffic remained unaffected.

On the US strikes the previous night, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that several cities had been hit including Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini.On the US strikes the previous night, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that several cities had been hit including Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini.

Iranian state media reported that two oil tankers had exploded as the vessels tried to cross the strait.Iranian state media reported that two oil tankers had exploded as the vessels tried to cross the strait.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the tankers were going through what it called an "unsafe and hazardous southern route" of the strait and "exploded and were brought to a halt". Centcom disputed the claims.Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the tankers were going through what it called an "unsafe and hazardous southern route" of the strait and "exploded and were brought to a halt". Centcom disputed the claims.