ALBAWABA- Eight Iranian soldiers were killed in U.S. airstrikes targeting the southern Iranian cities of Bandar Abbas and Bushehr on Tuesday, according to Iranian state television, marking the latest escalation in the rapidly intensifying military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
The strikes came hours after Iran launched attacks on commercial vessels, including Saudi and Qatari ships, near the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. officials said the attacks violated the recently signed U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding aimed at reducing tensions and safeguarding maritime security in the region.
The U.S. Central Command said more than 20 American warships are now operating across the Middle East as part of an enhanced security posture amid growing regional instability. A U.S. official told CNN that Washington is "reviewing our next steps against Iran," warning that the latest hostilities have pushed the fragile agreement "to the brink of collapse."
Additionally, speaking on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, U.S. President Donald Trump warned of further military action against Iran, saying any future U.S. operation "may be big."
He also renewed the possibility of seizing Iran's strategic Kharg Island, the country's main oil export terminal. Trump said the United States could target Iran's power and water infrastructure if necessary. He also delivered a series of harsh remarks against Iran's leadership, signaling that Washington was prepared to intensify military pressure if Iranian attacks continued.
The latest developments have also heightened security concerns in Israel. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel has raised its military alert to the highest level amid fears of renewed direct conflict with Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz are reportedly holding urgent security consultations to assess the evolving situation and prepare for possible regional escalation.
The current crisis follows weeks of mounting tensions that included reciprocal military strikes, a brief ceasefire, and the launch of a 60-day negotiation framework between Washington and Tehran. However, Iran's recent attacks on international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz—a vital route for global energy supplies—have sharply increased the risk of a broader regional conflict.
