Signs of imminent collapse are emerging for the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, which appeared to be unravelling under the impact of American strikes amid Iranian violations of its terms. The United States launched new strikes against Iran aimed at weakening its control over the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran carried out desperate attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan that drew widespread condemnation.
According to media reports, overnight US strikes hit military targets along the Gulf coast and a railway bridge deep inside northern Iran, damaging a trade route with China and Russia.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces had targeted more than 170 military targets inside Iran over the past two days.
CENTCOM added that the strikes targeted sites along the Iranian coast near the Strait of Hormuz, including air defence systems, logistical facilities, missile and drone storage sites, as well as fast military boats used by Iranian forces in territorial waters.
The number of targets hit in these operations was approximately 14 times greater than the number targeted by the United States in strikes carried out in late June.
CENTCOM said the aim of the strikes was to limit Iran's ability to carry out attacks against commercial vessels and oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump issued a strongly worded warning to Iran, affirming that the latest American strikes were a response to the shelling of commercial ships and threatening a far harsher response should the attacks be repeated.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: