The US launched a new series of attacks on Iran in the early morning of July 14, Vietnam time, marking a new escalation in the resumption of fighting, AFP reported.
We will strike a very strong blow to them tonight and we will strike a strong blow to them tomorrow" - US President Donald Trump told radio host Hugh Hewitt on July 13, local time.
Immediately after that, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the attacks had begun at 8:45 pm on July 13, GMT time (3:45 am Vietnam time), recording the 3rd consecutive attack night.
These attacks will continue to cause heavy losses to Iranian forces and weaken the ability to attack civilians and commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM said.
Last week, Mr. Trump officially announced to the US Congress that the US resumed the military conflict against Iran, the White House confirmed this information to AFP. Mr. Trump's move allows the Pentagon 60 more days to operate in the Middle East region without Congressional approval.
The US military said it attacked dozens of targets on the morning of July 13, while the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps announced new attacks on Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Oman.
Mr. Trump also threatened to destroy Mount Pickaxe - a nuclear site buried deep near Natanz, where Western intelligence suspects Iran is building an undeclared uranium enrichment facility.
The Central Command (CENTCOM), under the order of President Trump, announced the re-imposition of the blockade of Iranian ports starting at 8 pm GMT on July 14 (3 am on July 15, Vietnam time). Oil prices rose more than 9% due to concerns about a recurrence of conflict.
In a post on Truth Social, Mr. Trump declared that the US will be "known as the "Protector of the Strait of Hormuz" and will impose a 20% tariff on all goods transported through this waterway route. Iranian ports will again be blocked but "all other countries will be able to use the strait fairly and freely," Mr. Trump noted.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reacted immediately to Mr. Trump's fee threat. He wrote on X that "the president is completely right" to say that anyone who ensures travel safety should be compensated, but Tehran will charge less. "20% is of course too much" - the Iranian diplomat said.
Iranian state media has also reported on casualties in the latest US attacks, targeting areas in the south and west of the country. At least 4 explosions were heard on July 13 in the east of Bandar Abbas - a city located on the Strait of Hormuz.
At least 25 people have been killed in Iran since the conflict resumed on July 8, according to AFP statistics based on Iran's announcements. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on July 13 expressed deep concern about escalation in the region, including attacks from both sides.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had attacked US targets and military bases in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait. Air strike warnings rang out in Bahrain, where the military said it had shot down several Iranian missiles. The Kuwaiti military also announced the interception of "hostile air targets". The Jordanian military said it intercepted 4 Iranian missiles.
