Trump Warns of Stronger Response Over Hormuz Attacks
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States has launched a new wave of military strikes against targets in Iran, stating that the operation was carried out in response to attacks by the Iranian regime on commercial vessels.
In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump warned that if the Islamic Republic carries out similar attacks again, the U.S. response would be “much more severe.”
His remarks came as the United States said the latest operation was intended to hold the Iranian government accountable and safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Continued Strikes; Reports of Attacks on Chabahar Port Facilities
Iran’s state-affiliated Mehr News Agency, citing local sources, reported that Wednesday night’s strikes targeted the Shahid Beheshti Port, Kalantari Port, and the Chabahar Vessel Traffic Control Tower. According to the report, the attacks caused damage to these facilities.
At the same time, local sources reported power outages affecting roughly half of the city of Chabahar. The exact cause of the outages and whether they are directly linked to the strikes has not been independently confirmed.
As the attacks continued, Iranian state media reported additional explosions across southern Iran. According to state broadcaster IRIB, three explosions occurred near the village of Tahrouyi in Sirik County.
Two explosions were also reported on Abu Musa Island, while multiple explosions were heard in Jask, coinciding with continued activity by Iranian air defense systems across southern regions of the country.
CENTCOM Announces New Military Operation
On Wednesday evening, July 8 (17 Tir 1405), the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that, on the orders of the Commander in Chief, American forces had begun a new round of strikes against the Iranian regime.
In its statement, CENTCOM said:
“By order of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command forces have initiated additional strikes against Iran to further degrade its ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States holds Iran accountable for its recent actions.”
At the same time the statement was released, Iran’s state-affiliated Fars and Mehr news agencies reported multiple explosions across southern Iran.
According to Fars, several explosions were heard around 11:15 p.m. local time in Bandar Abbas and Sirik County, with some reportedly originating from offshore areas near Sirik’s western coastline.
Mehr also reported that Iranian air defense systems around Bandar Abbas had been activated to intercept what officials described as “hostile targets.” Coastal air defense units in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm were also reportedly engaged against aerial targets.
Meanwhile, local reports indicated several powerful explosions in Chabahar, although no further details regarding the precise locations or possible casualties and damage were immediately available.
Additional Explosions Reported
Subsequent reports indicated approximately ten explosions in Chabahar and the nearby city of Konarak. Iran’s official IRNA news agency stated that power was cut to parts of Chabahar following the blasts.
IRNA also reported hearing military aircraft flying over Kish Island.
In Bushehr Province, local sources and Mehr News Agency reported several explosions accompanied by Iranian air defense batteries engaging what were described as hostile aerial targets.
Meanwhile, a military source quoted by Iranian state media claimed that, in addition to the country’s integrated air defense network, missile and drone units of Iran’s armed forces would soon launch a large-scale operation against U.S. military bases in the region.
