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New Delhi: Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated further on Thursday after the US military launched another round of strikes targeting Iran following attacks on commercial cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Soon after the operation, US President Donald Trump warned Tehran that any further attacks would invite an even stronger response.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “This is in retaliation for yesterday’s attacks on cargo ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!”

The latest military action was confirmed by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which said the strikes were ordered by Trump in response to what it called Iran’s aggression against commercial shipping.

CENTCOM posted on X, “At the direction of the Commander in Chief, US Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”

It added, “The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway.”

According to the US military, the strikes were aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to threaten one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.

The latest operation came a day after the United States targeted several Iranian military locations and port facilities. Washington said the earlier strikes were carried out after Iran allegedly attacked multiple merchant ships near the coast of Oman.

Iranian state media reported explosions in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, which lies along the Strait of Hormuz, and in the nearby coastal town of Sirik.

Earlier in the day, Trump signalled that additional military action could follow if needed. He said the US would “probably hit them hard again tonight” and added that the current military exchanges would not become “long-term” operations.

He also said, “Anything that happens is going to happen very fast,” while suggesting that the United States might “just finish the job.”

Trump also repeated earlier threats to target Iran’s civilian infrastructure, including electricity facilities and desalination plants, and warned of possible action against Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub.