US Launches Fresh Strikes on Iran Amid Fragile Ceasefire and Nuclear Tensions

Tehran- The United States carried out fresh overnight military strikes inside Iran, targeting what Washington described as a threat to American forces and commercial shipping in the region, according to multiple US media reports.

US forces also intercepted drones allegedly launched from Iran, CBS News reported, citing a US official. The official described the latest military action as “defensive” and maintained that the fragile ceasefire between the two countries was still technically in place.

Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that three explosions were heard near the port city of Bandar Abbas, located along the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, around 1:30 a.m. local time on Thursday.

According to Iran’s Fars news agency, air defence systems were activated soon after the blasts, while authorities launched investigations to determine the source of the explosions.

The latest escalation comes amid ongoing tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme and stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said he would not rush into a deal with Iran due to domestic political pressures linked to the upcoming US midterm elections.

Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump said Iran had hoped to delay negotiations in anticipation of political weakness in Washington.

“They thought they were going to outwait me,” Trump said. “I don’t care about the midterms.”

He also warned that the United States remained ready to resume broader military action if negotiations failed to deliver an agreement acceptable to Washington.

“We’re not satisfied with it, but we will be,” Trump said. “Either that or we’ll have to just finish the job.”

Trump further claimed that Iran had little choice but to pursue an agreement with the US.

“They want to just make a deal,” he said. “I don’t think they have a choice.”

The White House also rejected reports aired by Iranian state media suggesting that a draft framework agreement had been prepared between the two sides. According to Iranian broadcaster IRIB, the alleged draft included a withdrawal of US forces from areas near Iran and the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports.

However, the White House dismissed the report as “a complete fabrication.”

During a separate interaction with PBS News, Trump also ruled out any sanctions relief for Iran in exchange for giving up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

“No, no, not at all. Not sanctions relief, no,” Trump said.

“They’re gonna give up their highly enriched uranium not for sanctions relief. No, no, not at all,” he added.

WIth inputs from IANS