Washington: The conflict between the United States and Iran escalated further on Wednesday, with the US Central Command (CENTCOM) saying it had carried out airstrikes against Iranian military targets for the 11th consecutive night.
According to CENTCOM, the operation targeted aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, missile launch sites, military command centres and air defence systems. The US military said the strikes were aimed at reducing Iran’s military capabilities and protecting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The operational claims have not been independently verified.
The renewed military action has further diminished prospects for a ceasefire and is reported to have complicated diplomatic efforts, including mediation initiatives involving Pakistan.
Speaking at the White House alongside Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, US President Donald Trump ruled out any immediate negotiations with Tehran.
“They want to meet with us, but we have no intention of meeting until they are ready for meaningful talks,” Trump said, adding that the US military campaign was “not over.”
The US President also suggested that Washington could target the underground Pickaxe Mountain facility near Iran’s Natanz nuclear complex, saying Tehran would be unable to prevent such an operation.
Iran responded by warning that any attack on its nuclear facilities or other sensitive military installations would be viewed as a further escalation of the conflict. The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said Iran would retaliate against the interests of the United States, its allies and supporting countries if such strikes were carried out.
The conflict has also heightened tensions in key maritime corridors. The US military said commercial vessels had been advised to use alternative routes to minimise risks in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy shipping lane.
Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen announced a naval blockade in the Red Sea, prompting reports that several international commercial vessels had altered their routes. Trump warned that any action by the Houthis would invite a military response from the United States, while Saudi Arabia condemned the threat.
Regional security concerns continued to mount as Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait reported intercepting Iranian drones or missiles, according to official statements from those countries. The reported interceptions could not be independently verified.
The escalating conflict has also unsettled global energy markets, with concerns over potential disruptions to oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz contributing to higher international crude oil prices.
