The United States ramped up pressure on Iran on Wednesday by carrying out strikes for a second straight day and the Treasury Department slapped fresh sanctions on entities that it says “have supported weapons procurement” on behalf of Tehran, including some in mainland China and Hong Kong.
“We hit them hard yesterday and we’re going to hit them again hard today,” US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House.
“We’ll see what happens with the deal. We’re really close to a deal but they keep tapping us along. They keep playing us for suckers.”
Trump’s warning preceded an announcement by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) that it launched strikes at 5.15pm Eastern Time against “multiple targets” in Iran, further testing a two-month ceasefire. “The strikes are in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression,” CENTCOM said on X.
Earlier in the day, US forces fired on the Palau-flagged Settebello for allegedly attempting to transport Iranian oil in violation of the US blockade on the country’s ports. On Thursday, New Delhi confirmed that three Indian sailors aboard the vessel were killed in the incident.
Iranian media reported explosions in several cities, including Sirik, Kargan, Bandar Abbas, Minab, Varamin and Karaj.
