Trump says Iran truce is ‘over’ as US hits 170 targets over two nights – Middle East crisis live
Escalation in the Middle East: Trump Declares Truce Finished as US Launches Massive Strike Campaign
Intensified Military Operations
Trump says Iran truce is over - The Middle East continues to experience significant turmoil as Iran endured another night of missile bombardment. American forces have reportedly targeted 170 locations within Iranian territory over the past two days, according to military officials. The United States Central Command emphasized that these operations seek to weaken Tehran's capacity to threaten commercial vessels and civilian sailors navigating the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Television broadcasts from Iranian state media captured multiple explosions across various urban centers, with the majority occurring in southern regions. Simultaneously, the Iranian armed forces initiated counterattacks against American military installations situated in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. This escalating regional confrontation, driven by competition over navigation rights through the narrow shipping corridor, now jeopardizes a temporary peace agreement between Washington and Tehran.
Both nations have committed to intensifying their responses if provocations persist. President Donald Trump cautioned that conditions could deteriorate further, while Iranian officials have signaled intentions to broaden their assault on American facilities throughout the area.
Diplomatic Breakdown and Regional Tensions
Speaking at the NATO gathering held in Turkey, Trump announced his assessment that the existing memorandum of understanding with Iran has concluded. He stated plainly that he no longer wishes to engage diplomatically with Tehran. Meanwhile, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iran's chief negotiator, declared that control of the Strait of Hormuz would remain firmly under Iranian authority.
The strait of Hormuz will be reopened only under Iranian arrangements, not through US threats.
This assertion appeared in a message posted on the social media platform X by Qalibaf. The Iranian official further criticized American actions, suggesting that Washington had failed to recognize that aggressive behavior and broken commitments now carry consequences.
America still hasn't learned that bullying and breaking promises are no longer cost-free. Let me put it plainly: if you strike, you'll get hit. Don't flail around pointlessly, or you'll sink even deeper: the strait of Hormuz will only open with "Iranian arrangements," not American threats.
Retaliatory Strikes and Casualties
Early morning reports indicated that Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait experienced renewed attacks as Iran continued its campaign against American military positions. Bahrain hosts the United States Navy's Fifth Fleet, while Kuwait and Qatar both activated air defense systems to intercept incoming Iranian drones and missiles. Authorities reported no significant damage from these intercepts.
According to Iran's official Irna news agency, the Iranian military targeted several key installations during these operations. These included a US Patriot missile defense system located in Kuwait, an early warning satellite antenna facility in Qatar, and fuel storage tanks belonging to American forces in Bahrain.
The Iranian health ministry provided updated casualty figures from recent American bombardments. Fourteen individuals have been confirmed dead, with seventy-eight others wounded as a result of the strikes. Hossein Kermanpour, who leads public relations for Iran's health ministry, shared details on X regarding the timeline and impact of these attacks.
While a ceasefire was in place, the US attacked five Iranian provinces on 7 and 8 July, resulting in 14 martyrs and 78 injuries. Of the injured, 47 remain hospitalised, while the others have been discharged after receiving medical treatment.
National Mourning Amid Conflict
The military escalation coincides with a period of national mourning in Iran. Citizens are preparing to inter their late supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, in his birthplace of Mashhad, located in the northeastern portion of the country. This burial ceremony follows an extended multi-day funeral observance that drew millions of mourners from cities across both Iran and Iraq.
The convergence of diplomatic breakdown, military operations, and national grief creates a complex situation for the region. With both sides signaling readiness for continued confrontation, observers watch closely to see whether the interim truce can survive these mounting pressures or if the conflict will expand into a broader regional crisis.