The United States steps up attacks on Iran, while Tehran responds by striking American targets in the region. Trump is considering even heavier raids and possible ground operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States conducted a new series of bombing attacks against Iranian strategic targets, while Tehran responded by using drones against American military installations in Jordan. The escalation now directly involves others too Gulf countries: The Kuwait announced that it had intercepted unmanned aircraft coming from Iran, while anti-aircraft sirens were activated in Bahrain. The Central Command of the US military (CentCom) reported on X that it had used precision weapons against targets located in various areas of Iran, including Bandar Abbasa port city of strategic importance on the Strait of Hormuz. The operation concluded at 9 p.m. Eastern Time United States. “US forces hit Iranian command centers, air defense positions, missile and drone systems, as well as facilities intended for coastal surveillance,” explained the CentCom. According to the American command, the objective of the offensive was to further reduce Tehran’s ability to endanger the civilian crews of commercial ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
Explosions were also reported near Tehran
The Iranian Tasnim agency traced them to the areas of Parking And Pakdashtspecifying that the explosions were heard in both the eastern and western areas of the capital. The Fars agency instead claimed that at least part of the noise would have been caused by the activation of the air defense systems still operational against some projectiles directed towards Pakdasht. The Iranian reaction was not limited to its own territory. The army of Islamic Republic declared that it had attacked some US forces installations with explosive drones in Jordan. “In response to enemy aggression, communications systems and fuel depots of the US armed forces were targeted,” state television IRIB reported, citing a military statement. The consequences of the confrontation spread simultaneously to the Arabian Peninsula. The Kuwait announced that it had intercepted Iranian drones after another night of American bombing. In a message published on X, theKuwaiti army reported that he intervened against “hostile attacks conducted with drones following the nefarious Iranian aggression”.
In Bahrain, Meanwhile, the alarm sirens went off. The Ministry of the Interior has invited the population not to panic and to quickly reach the nearest protected areas. These episodes confirm the risk that the conflict could spread to Gulf States that host American military bases, departments or infrastructure. In this climate, Washington is also accelerating the strengthening of its allies’ defense capabilities. The Department of State authorized a possible sale to Saudi Arabia worth $1.96 billion. The supply includes precision-guided missile systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System and related equipment. The main contractor indicated by the US administration is Bae Systems. A possible operation with the was also approved Kuwait of 484 million dollars, relating to assistance services for children C-17 military transport aircraft and the supply of related equipment. In this case, the main contractor should be Boeing.
An increase in military operations is being studied
Together with the operations already underway, the president Donald Trump would be considering a much more significant expansion of military intervention againstIran. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, citing American officials, the head of the White House discussed the various alternatives after a series of meetings with key national security officials. Among the scenarios submitted to the president would include a further increase in bombing, the use of ground troops to occupy strategic islands in the Persian Gulf close to Strait of Hormuz and an attack on a network of fortified underground tunnels. The latter complex, known as Mount Pickaxe, could be linked, according to American assessments, to nuclear programs kept secret by Tehran. Trump would analyze these hypotheses during a briefing held Tuesday evening in the Situation Room. The discussion would have focused, in particular, on the possibility of conquering decisive positions along the strait, including the island of Kharg, and on the possible destruction of the underground complex of Pickaxe Mountain. Larger operations against Iranian energy infrastructure would also be considered. The meeting concluded several days of consultations at the highest levels of the administration. The vice president, among others, participated in the talks JD Vancethe Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine. Trump continues to declare, both publicly and during confidential meetings, that he prefers a negotiated solution. Talks with Tehran, however, remain blocked. THE’Iran would not have accepted American requests regarding the delivery of its stockpiles of enriched nuclear material, despite months of bombings and a provisional agreement which had allowed, only for a limited period, the resumption of some oil exports.
The diplomatic route failed we think about the land operation
The failure of diplomatic attempts would therefore have pushed the president to consider more radical measures, with the aim of forcing the Islamic Republic to surrender or to definitively stop Iranian and Houthi attacks against international shipping. A land operation or bombing raid against the complex Pickaxe Mountain they would mark the riskiest passage since the beginning of the war, now approaching its fifth month. Such an escalation could cause a new increase in energy prices and create further political difficulties for the White House ahead of the mid-term elections. Administration sources, however, underline that Trump remains opposed to a large deployment of American soldiers and has, on several occasions, downplayed declarations relating to the permanent conquest of Iranian territories. The new alternatives were discussed after five consecutive days of US operations against Iran. The bombings resumed following the failure of the temporary truce, which collapsed after Iranian attacks against some ships sailing in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington he had therefore decided to restore the naval blockade. Trump had already announced on Tuesday that the offensive would become progressively heavier if Tehran did not agree to start serious negotiations. Interviewed by Fox News, the president warned: «We will hit them hard tonight, tomorrow night and also the following evening. Next week the situation will become really difficult for them, because the turn of the power plants and bridges will come.” Trump then added: “We will destroy all their power plants and all their bridges unless they decide to come to the negotiating table.” According to the president, operations will continue “until I say enough is enough.” Recalling the language used by the military commands, he finally argued that Iranian capabilities had already been “degraded to a very low level”.
