US Launches Fresh Wave of Iran Strikes as Ceasefire Collapses; Trump Threatens Civilian Infrastructure
The United States completed its sixth consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran on Thursday, with the military striking dozens of military targets. The conflict has escalated dramatically following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement, as President Trump threatens to attack Iranian power plants and bridges next week unless Tehran negotiates.
Escalating Military Campaign
The US military completed what it called its latest "major wave" of strikes against Iran at 9:40 p.m. ET Thursday, US Central Command said in a social media post, following days of escalation. The US military said Thursday it launched a wave of airstrikes for the sixth consecutive night, and CNN has reported that Trump is now receiving options for expanding the US military operation in Iran as he weighs next steps. "US forces, including fighter jets, aerial drones, and warships, launched precision munitions that hit dozens of Iranian military targets such as coastal surveillance and air defense sites, military logistics infrastructure, and maritime capabilities," CENTCOM said in a post on X.
Trump's Escalation Threats
He added that U.S. forces would go on to target key Iranian infrastructure next week without a diplomatic breakthrough. "Next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants," he said. "We're going to knock out all their power plants. We're going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate." US President Donald Trump has renewed his threats to strike Iranian bridges and power plants in recent days.
Breakdown of Diplomacy
Iran and the United States exchanged intensified fire on Thursday in a week-long escalation that has all but torn up last month's truce, though Iran's release of a U.S. citizen pointed towards a path to avert the resumption of all-out war. On 8 July, the interim ceasefire deal between the US and Iran collapsed after attacks by both sides. U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the release of a U.S. citizen in Iran as a "gesture of goodwill."
Impact on Global Energy Markets
Shipping traffic has dropped over the past 24 hours from its already diminished levels, with just three ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours, according to open-source data from MarineTraffic. The national average price of a gallon of gas is $3.94, according to AAA. A new Washington Post-Ipsos poll released Thursday reveals that just 29% of Americans approve of the president's handling of the Iran conflict.