US and Iran Clash Again in Hormuz...Trump Warns "Iran Will Cease to Exist"

US Launches Retaliatory Strikes for Second Day
Iran Responds by Targeting US Military Bases

The United States and Iran have continued exchanging attacks, with clashes around the Strait of Hormuz entering their third consecutive day. As a result, the prospects for holding follow-up talks scheduled for later this month in Switzerland have become increasingly uncertain.

On the 28th (local time), U.S. Central Command announced that it had carried out strikes targeting Iran's communications facilities, air defense networks, drone storage sites, and mine-laying capabilities in response to the oil tanker attack that took place in the Strait of Hormuz the previous day. Central Command explained that this operation was a measure intended to weaken Iran’s ability to attack merchant vessels.

U.S. President Donald Trump warned via social media that the level of military pressure on Iran could be further increased. He stated, "We may reach a point where we can no longer respond reasonably," adding, "If that happens, we will have no other choice but to complete what we started so successfully by military means." He further warned, "If that happens, Iran will cease to exist."

Iran also responded in kind. Following U.S. airstrikes, Iran announced that it had targeted U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. In Bahrain, air raid sirens sounded, and Kuwait reported that it had intercepted two ballistic missiles. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared it would intensify inspections of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

This latest conflict is putting additional strain on follow-up negotiations aimed at implementing the ceasefire agreement. Iran is asserting its authority over passage through the Strait of Hormuz, citing the clause in the agreement that states, "Every possible measure shall be taken to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels." Meanwhile, with ships passing through the U.S.-supported routes coming under attack, tensions over the right of passage in the strait have escalated once again.

The U.S. military reported that, on Saturday, the Panama-flagged oil tanker Kikuho, which was carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil near the Strait of Hormuz, came under attack from an Iranian drone. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which is linked to the British Navy, the tanker was hit in its bridge, the main command center of the vessel.

Iran has not specifically acknowledged responsibility for the Kikuho attack. However, Iranian state media reported that the Revolutionary Guard had struck American targets and reaffirmed its control over ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Joint Maritime Information Center, which includes U.S. and British naval forces, raised the maritime security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz to "significant" in light of the continued attacks on merchant ships. The U.S. military announced that it had additionally shot down two drones aimed at commercial vessels on the same day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.