US launches more strikes on Iran as state media reports explosions
US Central Command accused Iran of targeting commercial shipping and American service members deployed in the region.
The United States initiated further military action against Iran on Tuesday, as confirmed by US Central Command.
In a statement, Centcom alleged that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was responsible for "recent attempted attacks" targeting commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and "American service members deployed to the region."
US forces commenced striking IRGC targets at 12:00 ET (16:00 GMT), according to Centcom. Concurrently, Iranian state media reported that the nation's deputy governor for security stated four projectiles had impacted the Chabahar and Konarak counties.
The IRGC issued a warning that the US would face repercussions for the strikes. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump cautioned that Iran would be subjected to another attack at "a much harder and higher level" should it retaliate.
These strikes follow earlier US military action this week, the first known since late July, when forces targeted two rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait.
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency also reported multiple explosions heard on Qeshm Island on Tuesday, in addition to Konarak and Bandar Abbas.
Donald Trump verified the "large and powerful" strikes, asserting they were a response to Iran firing eight missiles at a US military base in Jordan. He also claimed Iran had "failed" in its attempts to deploy sea mines in the Strait.
Regarding his threat of further attacks in the event of Iranian retaliation, Trump added: "It will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings and, when it is over, there will be very little left of the Islamic Republic of Iran."
IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi reiterated that severe punishment awaited the US and that the country would regret the recent attacks.