Ultimately, Iran and the US are negotiating amidst tension, escalation, mutual suspicion, and above all, the justified hatred of the Iranians following the unacceptable attack by the Americans and Israelis. The funeral of Khamenei has served as a springboard of revenge for the Iranians. In this context, on the night of July 8, 2026, American forces launched powerful attacks against Iran, striking 80 targets. Explosions were heard in Qeshm, with over 8 explosions in Shirik and Bandar Abbas. Iran's response was immediate and of greater intensity, as missiles struck the Issa Air Base and the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, while they hit American warships in the Persian Gulf. Furthermore, explosions occurred at American bases in Kuwait, while American bases in Bahrain sustained heavy strikes.
CENTCOM: We struck southern Iran with greater intensity - Explosions heard in Qeshm, Shirik, and Bandar Abbas
The US launched a new attack on southern Iran. Explosions were heard in Qeshm, Shirik, and Bandar Abbas. According to the US Military Command CENTCOM, the US military launched powerful attacks against Iran, while American ships remain on standby. Reports indicate that 8 explosions were heard in Shirik. A fire broke out at the port and facilities of Shirik, as well as the telecommunications tower, following the American attacks. Successive explosions occurred in Bandar Abbas.
Trump: The US has no need for Hormuz
We have destroyed the military capabilities of Iran, which will never acquire nuclear weapons. The US has no need for the Strait of Hormuz, stated Trump, the American President. In a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Erdogan in Ankara, the US President, while praising Turkey's military power and dedication in an unprecedented manner, strongly criticized the performance of the NATO alliance. Concurrently, the Turkish President also expressed his country's readiness to assist.
I get along well with Erdogan
Trump added, referring to Erdogan: "With some people you get along well and with some you don't. Sometimes you get along with the toughest people, like him (Erdogan), and sometimes you can't get along with the weakest and most pathetic people. But we have been together since the first day we met."
Terrible Iranian retaliation: Waves of missiles from Iran hit Issa Air Base, US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, warships in the Gulf
Iran reacted immediately to the new US attack in southern Iran, launching a barrage of missiles at the Fifth Fleet and the Issa base in Bahrain. In fact, a broad wave of missile launches was noted from various parts of Iran. Reports indicate missile launches from Bushehr, Ahvaz, the western part of the country, Tabriz, Isfahan, the Bidganeh missile base, and the Kermanshah missile base. It was also reported that a cruise missile was launched from Bushehr toward the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, there is information regarding Iran's missile attack on American ships. Middle East Spectator claimed that the Islamic Republic of Iran launched several anti-ship missiles at US Navy warships in the Persian Gulf. There were also reports of a cruise missile launch at a target in the Persian Gulf and a missile launch from Iran at American ships.
Revolutionary Guards: We hit 85 US military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait
Iran announced that it targeted 85 American military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait. The Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) reported that their naval and aerospace forces carried out a joint operation with missiles and drones, striking 85 targets across "significant American military facilities." According to the announcement, among the targets were the base of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and the Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait. The same announcement also states that an American MQ-9 drone was shot down, which, according to the IRGC, attempted to interfere during the operation. The IRGC characterized the operation as an "initial response" to what they described as a violation of the ceasefire and the Islamabad agreement by the US, following American airstrikes that, according to Tehran, hit coastal military bases and civilian facilities in the provinces of Hormozgan and Mahshahr earlier today. At the same time, the IRGC linked the American attacks to the funeral ceremony of Iran's late Supreme Leader, arguing that Washington attempted to overshadow this "historical event."
Khatam al-Anbiya: The response of the Iranian military will be decisive, the US will leave Hormuz
The headquarters of the Iranian armed forces, Khatam al-Anbiya, promised a decisive response to the American raids in the southern part of the country. "The Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces, Khatam al-Anbiya, declares that Iran will give a decisive response to the American aggression and the terrorist attack in southern Iran," the statement reads. The headquarters added that Iran will not allow the United States to interfere in matters surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. On the night of July 8, 2026, the American military launched a series of powerful attacks against Iran in response to alleged Iranian attacks on commercial vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz. According to NBC, citing an anonymous US official, these attacks were more extensive than previous ones. In total, according to a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM), more than 80 targets were attacked in an effort to prevent interference with shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
NATO supports the US over the attacks on Iran – Rutte: It was absolutely necessary
Before the start of today's proceedings at the NATO Summit in Ankara, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed his support for the latest American strikes against Iran, telling reporters that the military operation was "absolutely necessary." "When there is a ceasefire and Iran essentially violates it – we saw what happened yesterday with the attacks on ships – I consider it absolutely critical that the United States reacts dynamically," stated Mark Rutte. Mark Rutte also mentioned that Iran's nuclear program will be on the agenda of today's main NATO meeting. "I expect that the Allies will reaffirm today that Iran must never, under any circumstances, acquire nuclear capabilities," Rutte said. He further added that freedom of navigation will also be discussed, as "the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is of vital importance for all 32 member-states of the Alliance."
The new strikes are more extensive than previous ones
The United States launched a series of powerful attacks against Iran. This was announced by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on the social media platform X. The US resumed attacks against Iran. A total of 7 explosions were reported in the southern city of Shirik and 6 in the southern city of Bandar Abbas and on Qeshm Island. Several people were injured in the attacks. The US stated that the new strikes on Iran were in response to Iran's attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, the Pentagon deemed Iran's actions dangerous and unjustified. An anonymous American official told CNN that a US attack "would not be a proportionate" response. "This is a punishment. It will continue for some time," an American official emphasized. An NBC source described the new US strikes on Iran as more extensive than previous ones. They said that Washington is attacking Tehran using Air Force aircraft and Navy tactical aircraft.
Alex Plitsas (analyst): The US is sharply raising the level of confrontation with Iran
The US "sharply raised the level of confrontation" with Iran, reinstating sanctions on the Iranian oil sector, in addition to the military raids, stated Alex Plitsas, director of the Counterterrorism Program of the Atlantic Council. The US reinstated sanctions on Iranian oil exports on Tuesday, after initially agreeing to suspend them for 60 days under the ceasefire agreement. Washington argued that the decision constitutes retaliation for a series of Iranian attacks against commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the American military announced that it struck more than 80 targets across Iran. "Previous American military attacks, in response to Iran's violations, were not enough to deter new attacks," stated Alex Plitsas. However, according to him, decades of sanctions against Iran, the war, and the American blockade of Iranian ports have dealt a severe blow to the country's economy. "If we combine all this, Iran faces a severe liquidity shortage," he noted. "This was the reason it sought the lifting of oil sanctions and access to its frozen funds. Since the military raids did not yield the desired result, the US chose to escalate the pressure further by reinstating the sanctions," the expert pointed out.
Iran reminds that the US violated the Memorandum of Understanding again
The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister accused the United States of violating the memorandum of understanding. "The US attack against Iran constitutes a blatant violation of paragraphs 1 and 2 of the memorandum of understanding signed in Islamabad," the capital of Pakistan. The diplomat added that over the last three weeks, the United States has repeatedly violated the terms of the memorandum. This includes the revocation of the general license of the US Treasury Department, which allowed transactions involving Iranian oil.
The negotiations between the two countries are threatened
Concurrently, according to the Wall Street Journal, the US intends to continue negotiations with Iran. Sources of the newspaper reported that American warships "remain on standby" to renew the blockade of Iranian ports, if the US President orders it. Clause 13 of the memorandum of understanding is clear: negotiations for a final agreement will not begin if threats continue. "Respect your signature," the Iranian Foreign Minister emphasized.
The impasse continues
Thus, two of the most critical elements of the temporary agreement—the lifting of oil sanctions and the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz—are now under threat. Earlier, the Foreign Minister of Iran warned that Iran's negotiations for a final agreement with the US will not begin if American threats continue.
CNN: The American military ignored targeting data adjustments before the attack on the Minab school
The US military command ignored a database warning that the coordinates of Iranian facilities were subject to mandatory adjustment, CNN reported, citing informed sources. According to CNN, the target planning systems (MIDB and MARS) contained warnings that information on Iran was outdated and required re-verification. However, this warning was ignored. "The Pentagon insists that everyone act faster." Nevertheless, due to this failure, they murdered 168 small children at the Minab school.
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