US-Iran Escalation
US and Iran Exchange Strikes for Second Night, Disputing Strait of Hormuz Closure
Key Points
The U.S. operation began at about 5:15 p.m. ET and used a mix of Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy assets, with CENTCOM describing the strikes as “in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression.”
Negotiations were reported as not just stalled but “completely broken down,” with Axios cited as saying diplomacy to end the conflict between Washington and Tehran had sharply deteriorated.
Trump, seeking to reassure oil markets, described a “secret mission” to help tankers transit the Strait of Hormuz and claimed “More than 100 million barrels of oil had passed through” the waterway since May, adding: “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONTROLS the Strait of Hormuz – NOT Iran.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes targeted “key facilities” but were “not meant to restart the war,” arguing instead they were intended to “strengthen Washington’s hand in negotiations with Tehran” and help set “the terms” for a deal.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that even an “imperfect ceasefire” can unravel, saying: “We should not minimise the risks of a lesser fire becoming full fire… or… full war.”
U.S. Central Command launched a second round of airstrikes on June 10 at 5:15 p.m. ET, firing 49 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Iranian air-defense, communications, and command sites across southern Iran, according to CBS News. Hours later, Iran's IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz closed — a claim CENTCOM flatly denied, saying commercial traffic remained active, Al Arabiya reported.
President Trump warned further strikes could come "as soon as tomorrow" if Tehran does not sign a deal. Stock futures slipped — Dow futures fell 50 points to 49,940 — while oil prices jumped on fears of a supply disruption, Benzinga reported.
How a Downed Apache Helicopter Triggered New Strikes
The crisis escalated on June 8 when a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter was shot down near the Omani coast. U.S. officials suspected an Iranian drone was responsible, according to CBS News. Trump ordered the first wave of strikes the following day, hitting air-defense sites and surveillance radars on Qeshm Island and in the port city of Sirik.
A day later, talks collapsed. Axios reported that a Qatar- and Pakistan-mediated 60-day ceasefire extension had "completely broken down." CENTCOM then launched the second, heavier strike package using Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy assets together. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes targeted "key facilities" and were "not meant to restart the war."
Iran Fires Back at Gulf Bases, Jordan Shoots Down Missiles
Iran's IRGC struck back in the early morning hours of June 11. Iran's state media claimed hits on 18 U.S.-linked military targets across Kuwait and Bahrain, including airbases and naval facilities, Caspian Post reported. Jordan said its air defenses intercepted five Iranian missiles, according to CBS News.
Kuwait closed its airspace. Bahrain activated emergency missile sirens. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed Tehran would "stand firm" against any pressure, calling U.S. strikes "calculated war crimes," The Guardian reported. The exchanges marked the first time the conflict directly pulled Kuwait and Jordan into active fire.
Trump Claims U.S. Controls the Strait, Markets Are Not Convinced
Trump pushed back hard on Iran's closure claim. "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONTROLS the Strait of Hormuz — NOT Iran," he posted on Truth Social. He described a "secret mission" to escort tankers and said more than 100 million barrels of oil had passed through the waterway since May, with over 200 commercial ships guided through safely.
Oil markets were not calmed. Prices rose on the threat of disruption, even as CENTCOM insisted the strait was open. The Institute for the Study of War said Iran was using "calibrated force" to gain leverage in nuclear talks by threatening the global energy supply. S&P 500 futures dropped 4 points to 7,274.50, Benzinga reported.
UN Warns 'Lesser Fire' Could Become Full War
UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both sides to step back. "We should not minimise the risks of a lesser fire becoming full fire… or… full war," he said, according to The Guardian. The April 7 ceasefire — which Trump had already called "the most violated ceasefire in the history of the world" — now appeared to be unraveling entirely.
Hegseth framed the U.S. approach bluntly: "If we need to negotiate with bombs, we'll negotiate with bombs. And we're very good at it." Vice President JD Vance noted in a CBS interview that U.S. and Israeli goals are "not always in sync," signaling tension over how far the campaign should go. Lebanese health officials report nearly 3,700 people killed since the broader conflict began in March, The Guardian reported.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativePublishers
155
Articles
321
Reach
476
