Live updates: Trump considers major strikes on Iran as patience runs out

The Jordanian Armed Forces announced that Jordan’s air defense systems and Royal Jordanian Air Force aircraft intercepted 20 missiles launched from Iran toward the Al-Azraq area of the kingdom today.

According to the statement, several pieces of interceptor debris fell following the interceptions, but no injuries or damage were reported.

Over the past week, IDF soldiers of the 91st Division eliminated more than 35 Hezbollah terrorists who operated adjacent to IDF soldiers in southern Lebanon.

On Wednesday, during the division's activity, the soldiers struck and dismantled an anti-tank missile launcher concealed in bushes.

In the strike, a terrorist who operated in the area of the launcher was eliminated.

Furthermore, IDF soldiers raided a weapons storage facility in southern Lebanon and located Kalashnikov rifles, RPGs, and rockets.

Iran's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, asserted on Wednesday that coercive tactics will never yield a sustainable diplomatic resolution, urging US President Donald Trump to abandon his aggressive rhetoric toward Tehran.

Speaking at a UN Security Council deliberation focused on “Advancing Political Solutions in the Middle East Through Mediation and Dialogue," Iravani maintained that diplomatic breakthroughs cannot be forced through intimidation.

“No lasting agreement can be achieved through threats, intimidation or the use of force," Iravani said, as quoted by CNN.

The diplomat's remarks directly addressed the American president's public posturing.

“The president of the United States must refrain from his repeated threats against Iran, including the renewed threat to resort to the use of force that he raised today," Iravani said.

The envoy's speech came before the fresh wave of overnight American military strikes on Iranian targets.

The strike came hours after Trump publicly informed members of the press that the United States would "hit them again hard today."

"And we'll see what happens with the deal. We were really close to a deal - but they keep tapping us along. They keep playing us for suckers because you know what? They dealt with some very stupid Presidents," he said.

"We want a deal that's meaningful, we want a deal that works," Trump reiterated, contrasting the deal he seeks with the agreement that the Obama administration signed, which he stated gave Iran a "path to a nuclear weapon."

Axios later reported that Trump convened a high-level Situation Room meeting to deliberate on initiating a fresh round of military operations against Iran.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have launched 12 ballistic missiles at American targets located at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (Al-Azraq) in Jordan’s Zarqa Governorate.

According to Tehran's statement, the strike targeted troop concentrations, aircraft, and the base's command and control center, which serves as a prominent logistical and operational hub for United States military forces in the region.

Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has announced the complete and temporary closure of the country's airspace. This decision follows coordinated Iranian strikes across the region and the subsequent activation of air defense systems over the kingdom.

According to the official statement issued by aviation authorities, the immediate closure of the skies forced numerous international flights already en route and preparing to land at Kuwait International Airport (KWI) to be diverted in real-time to alternative destinations in neighboring countries.

The Kuwaiti military announced that the country's air defense systems were activated, executing intercepts following the detection of hostile targets that breached the kingdom's airspace.

Concurrently, the Bahraini Ministry of Interior reported that sirens were activated across the country once again - the second time within a few hours - due to ongoing aerial threats.

US Vice President JD Vance indicated that Washington and Jerusalem are occasionally at odds regarding regional priorities, as the ongoing conflict involving Iran continues to pressure the relationship between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The diplomatic friction was highlighted during a conversation with CBS News.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu, look, he governs a country that has obviously been a very close partner of the United States. But, even when we've been close partners, sometimes we have interests that are perfectly aligned and sometimes we have interests that are misaligned," Vance told Robert Costa in an interview airing this week on "CBS Sunday Morning" and of which excerpts were released on Wednesday.

The Vice President characterized the Israeli premier as a leader who resolutely champions his own country's agenda, but underscored that Trump remains unyielding in prioritizing American goals.

"Sometimes that means we're on the same page and sometimes it means that we're not," Vance said, adding that "where that diverges, we, unfortunately for the Israelis, have to choose the side of the American people, which we always do."

When questioned about whether the Israeli leader had committed missteps in his approach toward the United States regarding the Iranian conflict, the Vice President agreed that Netanyahu’s record was not flawless.

"He's certainly gotten some things wrong," stated Vance, who chose not to elaborate on specific errors, noting that such discussions "are better left in private."

"But what I would say is that he's been a good partner," Vance said. "We're gonna keep on working together. But where interests diverge, the United States is gonna pursue the best interests of our nation, and that's how it's gonna be."

The comments follow several weeks of public statements by Trump, who has stressed that Netanyahu must recognize the president's determination to independently steer the diplomatic negotiations with Tehran.

In excerpts from the same interview published on Tuesday, Vance revealed that the United States is bordering on a comprehensive agreement designed to neutralize Iran's atomic ambitions "for the long term," though he cautioned that the exact breakthrough could materialize as early as next week or potentially take several months.

"Right now, I feel that we are in a position to get a deal that is good for the United States economically and that really does deal with the Iranian nuclear program, not just now, not just while Donald Trump is president, but for the long term, to where my kids can say when they're adults, 'Iran is not going to have a nuclear weapon,'" Vance said.

"That's the goal of the policy. And I think we're very close to achieving that goal. But we still got some wood to chop. We're going to keep doing it," he added.

Vance’s comments echo ones he made to Fox News on Monday night, where he emphasized that despite a deep alignment of interests between the United States and Israel, the Trump administration's strategy toward Tehran will ultimately prioritize American national interests over external preferences.

"The Israelis and the United States, we have a lot of shared interests. But we also have some situations where our interests diverge, and I think where the president has been very clear here is that while Israel obviously has some objectives that it has, the United States' main objective in Iran is to ensure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon," Vance said.

"Over the last year and a half, we've created the space necessary where the president believes - and I think he's right - that we can get a long-term settlement to Iran's nuclear issue," Vance stated.

"Now, Israel may like that, they may not like that, but fundamentally, we think this is in the best interest of the United States of America," he said, adding that Washington will continue pursuing that goal because "that's what the president of the United States was elected to do."

The United States launched strikes in Iran early Thursday morning, a senior US official confirmed, following reports that air defense systems were activated across several regions in the country. This marks the second night in a row that the US has struck targets in Iran.

Among other locations, the systems were activated in Fars Province, on Qeshm Island, and in the capital, Tehran.

Additionally, reports indicate an explosion at the petrochemical plant in Assaluyeh - the largest facility of its kind in the country, responsible for approximately 50% of Iranian petrochemical production. Further explosions were reportedly heard on Kish Island, Qeshm Island, and in Sirik, near the Strait of Hormuz.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) also confirmed that its forces "began launching additional self-defense strikes" against "multiple targets" in Iran.

"The strikes are in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression," it added.

Several hours later, CENTCOM released another statement summarizing the latest round of strikes.

“US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces completed additional self-defense strikes against multiple targets in Iran, June 10, at the Commander in Chief's direction," it said.

“CENTCOM forces launched strikes on Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense sites across Iran. US Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy assets fired precision munitions on Iranian targets that posed a threat to US forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters," it added.

“The strikes are in response to Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression. US forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready," concluded the statement.

A senior US official quoted by Channel 12 News stated that all the targets being struck are located in southern Iran and include air defense systems, radars, and drone command and control units.

Subsequent reports out of Iran indicated an exchange of naval gunfire between Iranian forces and the US military. Concurrently, Iranian state television claimed that United States military vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman were targeted in a coordinated attack utilizing Iranian missiles and drones.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed Iranian air defenses fired a missile at a US Air Force F-16 over the Persian Gulf, forcing the aircraft to take evasive action.

Additionally, the IRGC announced the total closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the US strikes in the region.

In an official statement, the IRGC declared, "As of this moment, due to instability in the region, the Strait of Hormuz is closed to the movement of all types of vessels, including oil tankers and commercial ships. Any vessel attempting to transit will be targeted."

CENTCOM denied Iran’s claims, posting on social media, “CLAIM: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims that the Strait of Hormuz is closed."

“TRUTH: Commercial ships are continuing to transit in and out of the Strait of Hormuz tonight."

US President Donald Trump subsequently told Fox News that he had spoken directly to Iranian officials and that those officials had asked him to stop the strikes.

"The attacks will end very soon. We may resume them later," he added, while also stressing that Israel was not involved in this round of strikes.

The Iranian news agency Tasnim, which is closely affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), denied Trump’s remarks and said: "Trump’s claim that he spoke with Iranian officials who requested a halt to the strikes is an absolute lie. No conversation took place with Trump, and Iran will respond to the aggression against it through military means."

The strikes began just moments after US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reiterated Trump’s earlier warning of impending military strikes against Iran.

Speaking to reporters at US Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters in Tampa, Florida, Hegseth said, "CENTCOM will be busy tonight because we are going to hit Iran hard."

He added, “Iran has a chance to make a great deal. They haven't been willing to it...they are going to have tap, tap, tap bombs dropping on key facilities in Iran from the US."

Hegseth stressed that the strikes are “not to restart the war but to set the terms for a deal".

“Those strikes that will happen tonight will be strong and clear and if they have to happen tomorrow night they will be strong and clear. President Trump is prepared to make that deal, Iran would be wise to take it otherwise they will have to deal with the types of plans that I just had a chance to see at CENTCOM," he continued.

Before Hegseth’s comments, Axios reported that Trump convened a high-level Situation Room meeting to deliberate on initiating a fresh round of military operations against Iran.

Insiders revealed to Axios that the Trump administration is weighing an operational framework that would be extensive in magnitude but tightly constrained in its duration. The overarching objective of such a strike would be to apply maximum pressure on Tehran, forcing the regime to shift its current posture within ongoing diplomatic talks.

The individuals familiar with the matter did not provide precise details regarding the exact targets or timeline of the proposed assault.

Iranian state media reported that the Iranian military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched drones toward the United States Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain.

According to the report, the strike is a direct and decisive response to the waves of American airstrikes carried out tonight against military targets and infrastructure in southern Iran.

US President Donald Trump told Fox News, "The Iranians asked me to stop the strikes. The attacks will end very soon. We may resume them later."

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) told local media outlets that they targeted two vessels that attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz, thereby violating the newly declared blockade.

Iranian state television claimed that, according to initial reports, United States military vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman were targeted in a coordinated attack involving missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Wednesday reiterated President Donald Trump’s warning of impending military strikes against Iran.

Speaking to reporters at US Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters in Tampa, Florida, Hegseth said, "CENTCOM will be busy tonight because we are going to hit Iran hard."

He added, “Iran has a chance to make a great deal. They haven't been willing to it...they are going to have tap, tap, tap bombs dropping on key facilities in Iran from the US."

Hegseth stressed that the strikes are “not to restart the war but to set the terms for a deal".

“Those strikes that will happen tonight will be strong and clear and if they have to happen tomorrow night they will be strong and clear. President Trump is prepared to make that deal, Iran would be wise to take it otherwise they will have to deal with the types of plans that I just had a chance to see at CENTCOM," he continued.

“We will hit them hard on our terms, on the targets that improve the environment for us to operate in and undermine the capabilities that Iran wants to have," said Hegseth, who added that the strikes signal to Iran, “You have a choice to, in the way that you respond, and you have a choice with our incredible negotiating team."

Hegseth’s comments came hours after Trump publicly informed members of the press that the United States would "hit [Iran] again hard today."

"We hit them hard yesterday and we're going to hit them again hard today," Trump stated.

"And we'll see what happens with the deal. We were really close to a deal - but they keep tapping us along. They keep playing us for suckers because you know what? They dealt with some very stupid Presidents," he said.

"We want a deal that's meaningful, we want a deal that works," Trump reiterated, contrasting the deal he seeks with the JCPOA that the Obama Administration signed, which he stated gave Iran a "path to a nuclear weapon."

Axios later reported that Trump convened a high-level Situation Room meeting to deliberate on initiating a fresh round of military operations against Iran.

Insiders revealed to Axios that the Trump administration is weighing an operational framework that would be extensive in magnitude but tightly constrained in its duration. The overarching objective of such a strike would be to apply maximum pressure on Tehran, forcing the regime to shift its current posture within ongoing diplomatic talks.

The individuals familiar with the matter did not provide precise details regarding the exact targets or timeline of the proposed assault.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday afternoon convened a high-level Situation Room council to deliberate on initiating a fresh round of military operations against Iran.

According to two domestic sources speaking to Axios, the strategic session occurred just hours after the President publicly informed members of the press that the United States would "hit them again hard today."

Insiders revealed to Axios that the Trump administration is weighing an operational framework that would be extensive in magnitude but tightly constrained in its duration. The overarching objective of such a strike would be to apply maximum pressure on Tehran, forcing the regime to shift its current posture within ongoing diplomatic talks.

The individuals familiar with the matter did not provide precise details regarding the exact targets or timeline of the proposed assault.

Concurrently, Qatari intermediaries conducted a series of diplomatic discussions with Iranian dignitaries in Tehran on Wednesday, the report said. The urgent meetings were organized in an effort to revive and inject momentum back into the complex framework that Washington and Tehran have been hammering out for several weeks.

However, observers note that barring a sudden diplomatic breakthrough from these talks, fresh American missile strikes are highly imminent.

The US military bombarded Iranian air defense installations and radar networks on Tuesday evening, a maneuver executed in retaliation for the downing of an American helicopter. Those specific operations were meticulously calibrated by commanders to prevent any human casualties, purposefully leaving the door open for a negotiated settlement.

The emergency Situation Room assembly drew a vast array of top-tier administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.

Joining the deliberations remotely from Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters in Tampa, Florida, was Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Representatives for the White House declined to issue any formal statement regarding the meeting or the proposed military options. Sources indicate that Trump's internal impatience has been steadily escalating over the past fortnight as the administration waits for the Iranian leadership to formally respond to Washington's latest diplomatic compromise.

On Tuesday night, after the US strikes on Iran, an administration source told Politico that Trump still believes that a diplomatic breakthrough with Iran is imminent.

“Nothing changes where the deal stands right now," said the official, who was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive national security information. The official stressed that a deal with Tehran was “still close."

Following the situational assessment, the Home Front Command defensive guidelines remain unchanged and in effect until Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 8:00 p.m.

US President Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday that last month, he directed the US Military to execute a secret mission to support Oil Tankers and other commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

"Today, I am pleased to announce that this effort has resulted in more than 100 MILLION Barrels of Oil making its way through the Strait, and into the Open Market. More than 200 Commercial Ships have safely traveled through the Strait. This wildly successful effort is because the UNITED STATES of AMERICA CONTROLS the Strait of Hormuz - NOT Iran. Their military is defeated, and their economy is lost. It’s over for Iran! Thank you for your attention to this matter."

Minister of Defense Israel Katz declared during the Israel Defense Prize Ceremony on Wednesday that Israel continues to act forcefully against Iran's proxies in the Middle East and stressed that the campaign against Iran was far from over.

"We currently proudly see our heroic soldiers operating deep in Lebanon against the Hezbollah terror organization, which acts on behalf of the Iranian regime, and dealing it heavy blows."

Katz detailed the military action against the terror organization: "Yesterday, the IDF evacuated the Nusierat neighborhood of Tyre and struck the Hezbollah terrorists who were taking cover there. Of course, now, the residents will return to their homes. We continue to strike Hezbollah terrorists everywhere for the security of the northern communities and the State of Israel, and outright deny Iran's threats and attempts to connect the two arenas."

Later in his remarks, Katz addressed Iran directly and warned against coming to early conclusions regarding the end of the conflict. "We must not think that the work is done; the campaign against Iran is far from over."

Katz clarified that Israel is prepared to respond to any Iranian aggression. "If Iran attacks Israel, it will suffer a hard blow as we dealt it a few days ago. The IDF is ready to attack Iran with great intensity."

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded to US President Donald Trump's threats to strike Iranian power plants and bridges, stating, "Critical infrastructures are the lifeblood of the people. Threats to target them-from transportation networks to the electricity and water industries-are not a show of strength but a sign of desperation in the face of a nation's will."

"Iran, relying on the knowledge and capabilities of its specialists, national unity, and solidarity, will stand firm against any pressure or threat."

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee hinted at the upcoming US strikes on Iran following President Donald Trump's announcement that the attacks on the Islamic Republic would resume in response to Iran's refusal to reach a deal to end the conflict and the downing of an American Apache helicopter.

"Things may get a bit spicy in the neighborhood soon," Huckabee tweeted in response to a report on Trump's statement.

Speaking at the White House today (Wednesday), Trump stated: "We hit them hard yesterday and we're going to hit them again hard today."

"And we'll see what happens with the deal. We were really close to a deal - but they keep tapping us along. They keep playing us for suckers because you know what? They dealt with some very stupid Presidents," he said.

In an earlier statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump warned that Iran will need to "pay the price" for dragging out negotiations on a nuclear deal that would end the war.

The US Army launched three waves of strikes on targets in Iran on Tuesday night in response to Monday’s downing of a US Army Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces struck Iranian air defense, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz with precision munitions from US Air Force and Navy fighter jets.

Over the past 24 hours, the IDF struck Hezbollah infrastructure sites and eliminated terrorists in the area of Tyre and additional areas in southern Lebanon.

In one of the strikes, a weapons cache belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization was struck.

Following the strike, secondary explosions were identified, indicating the presence of weapons stored at the site.

US President Donald Trump issued a statement at the White House this evening (Wednesday) saying that the US will continue to attack Iran following the downing of the American combat helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz.

"We hit them hard yesterday and we're going to hit them again hard today," Trump stated.

"And we'll see what happens with the deal. We were really close to a deal - but they keep tapping us along. They keep playing us for suckers because you know what? They dealt with some very stupid Presidents," he said.

"We want a deal that's meaningful, we want a deal that works," Trump reiterated, contrasting the deal he seeks with the JCPOA that the Obama Administration signed, which he stated gave Iran a "path to a nuclear weapon."

President Trump warned earlier today that Iran will need to "pay the price" for dragging out negotiations on a nuclear deal that would end the war.

"Iran’s Military is a complete and total mess," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "Much of it, like their Navy and Air Force, doesn’t even exist anymore - They have been completely defeated. Iran is all talk and no action. The Bully of the Middle East is DEAD!!!"

He added, "They’ve taken too long to negotiate a deal that would have been great for them, now they will have to pay the price!!!"

At the same time, the President told Fox News that he is getting close to ordering strikes against Iranian power plants and bridges, saying the regime is "tapping the US along" in the negotiations.

Asked about a possible response to the Iranian missile fire against US bases in the region, Trump said he "may keep going."

"They had a chance to sign a deal and survive," the President said.

The 167th Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), meeting in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, condemned what it described as a new Iranian aggression involving drone and ballistic missile attacks against Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.

In a statement issued following the meeting, the Council said it "condemns in the strongest terms these brutal Iranian attacks" and considers them "a blatant aggression against the sovereignty of states, the security of their peoples and the safety of their territories," as well as "a flagrant violation of international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of good neighbourliness."

The Council stated that the attacks do not contribute to understanding between nations, saying that such actions "distance peoples from one another, undermine the foundations of trust, sow discord and close the doors of dialogue to which the GCC states have always called."

"Aggression does not build relations, and intimidation does not create stability," the statement added.

The GCC Ministerial Council expressed "full solidarity and firm support" for Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, emphasizing that "the security of the GCC states is indivisible, and that any attack against one of them is an attack against them all."

The Council also sought to reassure citizens and residents of GCC states, stating that joint defense capabilities and air defense systems are confronting the attacks "with high efficiency and readiness," and that regional leaders remain committed to preserving security and stability.

According to the statement, "These attacks will only increase the cohesion, determination and resolve of the peoples of the GCC states to resist and confront them."

The Council affirmed what it described as the legitimate right of member states to defend themselves, individually and collectively, and to respond to the attacks "by all legitimate means, in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations."

The statement held Iran "fully responsible for these acts and their grave repercussions on the security of the region, international navigation and energy supplies," and demanded "their immediate cessation and a complete end to any targeting of the GCC states, their interests and their citizens."

The Council also called on the UN Security Council and the international community to condemn the attacks and hold those responsible accountable in order to preserve regional and international peace and security.

Concluding its statement, the Ministerial Council reaffirmed the GCC states' commitment to "the option of peace, good neighbourliness and diplomatic solutions as a means of settling disputes."

At the same time, it posed what it described as a fundamental question to the aggressor: "How can future relations be built amid the continuation of these attacks and the insistence on pursuing them?"

The Council warned that "Persistence in the path of aggression will only lead to further isolation," while stressing that "the door to understanding remains open to those who choose the language of wisdom and good neighbourliness."

Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago regarding a hostile aircraft infiltration in the area of Shlomi, the Israeli Air Force intercepted a suspicious aerial target identified in the area in which IDF soldiers are operating in southern Lebanon.

Sirens were sounded in accordance with protocol.

The “Shahaf" Unit continues operating to remove threats to the State of Israel. The unit conducts intelligence collection, fire direction, and strikes through surveillance operations.

Over the past two weeks, the troops, in cooperation with the Israeli Air Force, struck and eliminated more than 20 terrorists who were advancing terrorist attack plans and posed a threat to our troops.

In addition, the troops dismantled several terrorist infrastructures, including structures used by Hezbollah terrorists to launch explosive drones against our troops.

Defense officials cleared for publication on Wednesday that part of an Iranian missile struck the Ramat David Airbase on Sunday night. The Air Force is still investigating the circumstances of the incident and currently assesses that the object was likely debris from an interception.

Satellite imagery taken on Monday raised the possibility that the base was hit during the missile barrage launched by Iran.

A comparison with earlier satellite images of the same area of the base shows that a dark mark now appears where a hangar previously stood. According to assessments, the finding may indicate a possible impact at the site.

The discussion surrounding the new image comes amid previous reports indicating damage to IDF bases during the earlier confrontation with Iran. An analysis of satellite imagery published by the company Soar at the time pointed to damage at several military facilities across the country.

According to those reports, two impact sites were identified at Ramat David Air Force Base. One was believed to have been used for support vehicles and equipment, while the other reportedly served as a refueling and service area for fighter aircraft.

In addition, satellite images reportedly showed a change in the terrain near a building at the Unit 8200 base in Meisher, near Tzfat (Safed). According to Soar's analysis, the finding may indicate a strike that occurred during March.

Those reports also mentioned damage observed at a defensive position at Nevatim Airbase, as well as a large fire at Camp Shimshon. According to the satellite analysis, the fire spread across an area of approximately 200 meters within the base following a drone attack attributed to Hezbollah.

Defense officials have confirmed that part of an Iranian missile struck the Ramat David Airbase on Sunday evening. The Israeli Air Force is still investigating the circumstances of the incident and currently assesses that the object was likely debris from an interception.

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US President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned that Iran will need to "pay the price" for dragging out negotiations on a nuclear deal that would end the war.

"Iran’s Military is a complete and total mess," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "Much of it, like their Navy and Air Force, doesn’t even exist anymore - They have been completely defeated. Iran is all talk and no action. The Bully of the Middle East is DEAD!!!"

He added, "They’ve taken too long to negotiate a deal that would have been great for them, now they will have to pay the price!!!"

At the same time, the President told Fox News that he is getting close to ordering strikes against Iranian power plants and bridges, saying the regime is "tapping the US along" in the negotiations.

Asked about a possible response to the Iranian missile fire against US bases in the region, Trump said he "may keep going."

"They had a chance to sign a deal and survive," the President said.

Late on Tuesday night, the US Army launched three waves of strikes on targets in Iran, responding to Monday’s downing of a US Army Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces struck Iranian air defense, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz with precision munitions from US Air Force and Navy fighter jets.

"The operation was a proportional response to recent attacks on US forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters," the statement added. "US forces remain vigilant and postured to defend against unjustified Iranian aggression."

Since Tuesday, the IDF has struck Hezbollah infrastructure sites in the area of Tyre and in several areas in southern Lebanon.

In the Tyre area, the IDF struck six infrastructure sites used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization to advance terror attacks against the State of Israel and IDF soldiers operating in southern Lebanon.

Among the infrastructure struck was a site used by Hezbollah terrorists to launch explosive drones toward IDF soldiers.

In southern Lebanon, the IDF struck ready-to-use Launchers, terrorists who operated in the area in which IDF soldiers are operating, and additional terror infrastructure sites.

The Jordanian military announced that the kingdom’s air defense systems successfully intercepted five long-range ballistic missiles launched by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) toward the "Al-Azraq" (Muwaffaq Salti) Air Base, which hosts US and German forces.

According to the military statement, no damage was caused to the base and there were no casualties in the incident.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released an official statement detailing the damage from the wave of US strikes, claiming that a communications tower and two central water reservoirs were damaged tonight in the area of Sirik, a city located on the coast of the Strait of Hormuz in Hormozgan Province. According to reports in Iran, the attack hit civilian and logistical infrastructure in the area.

Concurrently with the detailed damage report, the IRGC issued another direct threat toward Washington. In their statement, they emphasized that Tehran’s fuse remains short, threatening to execute "far harsher and more painful responses" against US targets in the Middle East should "US hostility and aggression" against Iranian sovereignty continue.

A senior US administration official confirmed in a conversation with Channel 12 News that Iran launched at least four ballistic missiles along with several UAVs toward US military bases in the region.

The missile and drone attack targeted US military facilities in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, as part of Tehran's declared response to the wave of US strikes in southern Iran.

Despite the United States launching military counterstrikes against Iran on Tuesday evening, US President Donald Trump maintains that a diplomatic breakthrough remains imminent, according to a high-ranking administration source cited by Politico.

“Nothing changes where the deal stands right now," said the official, who was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive national security information. The official stressed that a deal with Tehran was “still close."

The American bombardments were executed in response to an Iranian assault over the weekend that destroyed a US Apache helicopter in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz. Both the commander-in-chief and US Central Command emphasized that Washington's armed reaction was strictly "proportional", marking a significant shift from Trump's prior rhetoric threatening the absolute eradication of Iranian civilization.

The White House source explained that active combat operations in retaliation for the downed aircraft and diplomatic efforts to restore shipping access through the maritime strait are handled independently of one another.

“There’s a military bucket and then there’s a negotiation bucket," the official said, according to Politico. “A helicopter was downed yesterday. We have to respond in kind, but at the same time there’s still a deal trying to be negotiated. So, two things can happen at the same time."

According to the high-ranking official, Washington has already secured its primary tactical benchmarks regarding Tehran, signaling that the combat portion of the campaign has concluded. The administration is now pivoting to the secondary phase of securing a brokered pact and settlement, though the source added that the president continuously holds all strategic options at his disposal.

Concurrently, an insider close to the executive mansion dismissed reports of a severe rift with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Rumors of friction spiked after an exchange of hostilities between Israel and Iran prompted Trump to personally phone Netanyahu and instruct him to refrain from launching any strikes outside of immediate, symmetrical retaliation.

The individual insisted that the diplomatic fallout is exaggerated and that the Israeli leader maintains considerable support within the White House.

“Ultimately, I think the president and his national security team understand that they have very different objectives and very different security postures in the region. Obviously, the president is frustrated by that reality, but I don’t necessarily think he wants to hamstring Israel. The more Israel is under attack, the more U.S. involvement will ultimately take place," the person said.

A spokesperson for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the organization’s missile and reserve forces launched a missile volley at a United States military base located in Jordan.

According to the statement, the attack was carried out as part of Iran's "comprehensive response" against the deployment of US forces in the region, following US Air Force bombardments in the southern part of the country.

The US Army launched three waves of strikes on targets in Iran overnight Tuesday, in response to Monday’s downing of a US Army Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces struck Iranian air defense, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz with precision munitions from US Air Force and Navy fighter jets.

“The operation was a proportional response to recent attacks on US forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters," the statement added.

“US forces remain vigilant and postured to defend against unjustified Iranian aggression," it stressed.

Earlier, CENTCOM confirmed that its forces began launching self-defense strikes against Iran at the direction of US President Donald Trump.

“The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression," it stated.

The announcement came shortly after Iranian media outlets reported at least four explosions near Sirik Port in the Bandar Abbas district of the country. Explosions were also reported on Qeshm Island.

The Aerospace Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) responded to the US strikes and threatened it would deliver a “heavy response" to what it described as “the enemy’s hostile actions."

Later, the IRGC claimed it carried out a drone attack on the US Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain in response to the US strikes on Iran.

In a statement carried by Tasnim news agency, the IRGC said its naval force targeted the Fifth Fleet at 2:30 a.m. local time.

There was no immediate confirmation from US or Bahraini authorities.

A senior US official stated that the strikes targeted several Iranian air defense and radar systems around the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the operation is ongoing.

A US official told CNN that the strikes were intended to serve as a warning to Iran, noting that Washington assesses they will not jeopardize negotiations to end the war.

Trump struck a defiant tone earlier on Tuesday, saying Iran had shot down the American helicopter and that the US would respond to that attack.

"I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz. There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack," he wrote on Truth Social.

Just before the US strikes began, however, Trump downplayed the downing of the Apache.

In a phone call with The Wall Street Journal, Trump said the incident "wasn't a big deal" and stressed that "the pilot is fine."

As CENTCOM announced the retaliatory strikes against Iran, Trump told ABC News, "I think it's very important to respond. They shot down a helicopter, and we are responding as we speak."

He added, "This is a response to what they did with our helicopter last night, and I believe the response should be very strong, very powerful, and that's what this one is."

Iranian media reported a series of powerful explosions near the strategic port city of Bandar Abbas, the capital of Hormozgan Province, as well as in the vicinity of the southwestern city of Ahvaz.

During an interview scheduled to broadcast on "CBS Sunday Morning," US Vice President JD Vance revealed that the United States is bordering on a comprehensive agreement designed to neutralize Iran's atomic ambitions "for the long term," though he cautioned that the exact breakthrough could materialize as early as next week or potentially take several months.

Portions of Vance’s interview with Robert Costa were made public on Tuesday.

"Right now, I feel that we are in a position to get a deal that is good for the United States economically and that really does deal with the Iranian nuclear program, not just now, not just while Donald Trump is president, but for the long term, to where my kids can say when they're adults, 'Iran is not going to have a nuclear weapon,'" Vance said.

"That's the goal of the policy. And I think we're very close to achieving that goal. But we still got some wood to chop. We're going to keep doing it," he added.

The Vice President confirmed that the geopolitical pact would "absolutely" be finalized ahead of the upcoming legislative midterm elections in November.

"I think we're going to know a lot before the midterm elections," he said. "Look, I think that the deal could happen in the next week, but the deal could also happen months from now."

Vance’s comments echo ones he made to Fox News on Monday night, where he emphasized that despite a deep alignment of interests between the United States and Israel, the Trump administration's strategy toward Tehran will ultimately prioritize American national interests over external preferences.

"The Israelis and the United States, we have a lot of shared interests. But we also have some situations where our interests diverge, and I think where the president has been very clear here is that while Israel obviously has some objectives that it has, the United States' main objective in Iran is to ensure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon," Vance said.

"Over the last year and a half, we've created the space necessary where the president believes - and I think he's right - that we can get a long-term settlement to Iran's nuclear issue," Vance stated.

"Now, Israel may like that, they may not like that, but fundamentally, we think this is in the best interest of the United States of America," he said, adding that Washington will continue pursuing that goal because "that's what the president of the United States was elected to do."

Also on Monday, Trump said that the US will declare “total victory" over Iran in about two weeks.

The President made the comments at a telerally supporting Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and it's as simple as that. They cannot have, the destruction is so powerful, they cannot have a nuclear weapon. And Lindsey has been fighting with me all the way, all the way for that," Trump said.

“We've been a very tough team, and I think we are winning that battle, but you're really going to win it over the next two weeks when we declare total victory. It'll be a total victory. It'll happen very soon. And oil prices will come tumbling down," he added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi threatened the US following its latest strikes on Iran.

"Despite its defeats on the battlefield, the US opted to test our determination. Our Powerful Armed Forces will leave no attack or threat unanswered. Leave our region if you want to be safe," he wrote on social media.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday downplayed the downing of a US Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a phone call with The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, Trump said the incident "wasn't a big deal" and stressed that "the pilot is fine."

The comments came despite the fact that Trump struck a defiant tone earlier in the day, saying Iran had shot down the American helicopter and that the US would respond to that attack.

"I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz. There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack," he wrote on Truth Social.

Capt. Tim Hawkins, spokesman for US Central Command (CENTCOM), said the Apache crew spent two hours in the water as darkness fell. One senior US official, quoted by The Wall Street Journal, described the crew's escape from the downed aircraft as a "hand of God" moment.

Trump also told WSJ the US naval blockade was making Iran "very poor" and said he would keep it in place as long as necessary.

The President is still seeking a deal with Iran which would end the Islamic Republic’s nuclear ambitions. On Monday, Trump said that the US will declare “total victory" over Iran in about two weeks.

“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and it's as simple as that. They cannot have, the destruction is so powerful, they cannot have a nuclear weapon. And Lindsey has been fighting with me all the way, all the way for that," Trump said in comments on the phone, as part of a rally supporting Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

“We've been a very tough team, and I think we are winning that battle, but you're really going to win it over the next two weeks when we declare total victory. It'll be a total victory. It'll happen very soon. And oil prices will come tumbling down," he added.