US strikes Iran for 11th night; Trump vows to hit nuclear site

The United States carried out airstrikes against Iran for the 11th straight night on Tuesday, intensifying a conflict that has seen both sides trade blows over control of the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump escalated the rhetoric by threatening to strike an underground nuclear facility, while Iran warned that such an attack would risk a wider regional war.

Escalation Continues

US Central Command said the latest wave of strikes targeted Iranian military operations centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage, and logistics infrastructure. The strikes aimed to “degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping” in the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of global oil passes. Iranian state media reported air defenses were activated in Tehran, and explosions were heard in Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, and Bushehr—home to Iran’s sole nuclear power plant. The US has accused Iran of attacking more than 30 commercial vessels in the strait over the past three months, endangering hundreds of sailors and undermining freedom of navigation. Despite the hostilities, Centcom said the waterway remains open for commercial transit.

Trump's Nuclear Threat

Speaking at a White House meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Trump said the next target could be “Pickaxe Mountain,” an underground complex near Natanz where Iran is suspected of building an undeclared enrichment facility. “We’ll be hitting that area pretty soon, and very heavily,” Trump said, adding that he would not normally announce targets but “there’s not a thing they can do about it.” Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya military command responded by warning that an attack on the site would be considered “an expansion of war in the region,” threatening strikes on “all the interests of America, the allies and supporters,” according to state-run broadcaster IRIB. The exchange marks a sharp downturn from the fragile ceasefire signed in April, which Trump declared “over” three weeks after it took effect following Iranian attacks on ships in Hormuz. The initial agreement was part of a June Memorandum of Understanding that aimed to halt military operations and reopen the strait, with a 60-day timeline for ending hostilities.

Regional Fallout

The conflict has drawn in regional allies. Kuwait’s army said its air defenses were engaging drone attacks from Iran early Wednesday, while Bahrain and Jordan reported intercepting drone and missile strikes. Meanwhile, the Houthi militant group in Yemen, backed by Iran, threatened to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait—the Red Sea’s southern gateway—to Saudi vessels. The Red Sea has become crucial for Saudi oil shipments as the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed due to the US-Israeli war with Iran. In response to the Houthi announcement, two Saudi oil tankers bound for China and India made U-turns from the port of Yanbu and headed toward the Suez Canal, according to British maritime risk firm Vanguard. Trump threatened to “take care of” the Houthis if they follow through on the blockade, adding another dimension to an already volatile region. The disruption risks further affecting global shipping and fuel prices, which have fluctuated significantly.

Cost and Implications

The war with Iran has cost the US approximately $37.5 billion so far, a rise of nearly $8 billion since May, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday. He warned that military training would have to be curtailed unless lawmakers approve an urgent funding boost. The escalating costs and widening front lines suggest that the administration is struggling to find an exit strategy. With both sides showing no signs of de-escalation, the coming days could determine whether the conflict remains contained or spirals into a broader regional war. The international community watches closely as the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint and the threat of a strike on Iran’s nuclear site looms.