A water tower stands outlined against smoke rising from a fire following an alleged strike in Behbahan, Khuzestan Province, Iran. — Reuters
- Negotiations with the U.S. are ongoing through mediators: Baghaei.
- Iran’s military issues threats of retaliation against the U.S.: report.
- Regional countries are using Iranian drones in their engagements.
Fresh American airstrikes prompted anti-air defense responses in Tehran on Wednesday. President Donald Trump warned he isn’t finished with the conflict with Iran, which has already cost the U.S. approximately $37.5 billion.
Following clashes over the strategic Strait of Hormuz resulting in the collapse of an initial agreement, conflict in the Middle East has extended to include other critical oil transit routes in the region.
Top U.S. diplomat Marco Rubio reaffirmed that Washington remains open to diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement with Tehran.
“The challenge we face now is that Iran isn’t taking negotiations seriously,” Rubio stated during a Southeast Asia ministers’ meeting in Manila.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei mentioned that diplomatic discussions with Washington, mediated by third parties, are still taking place.
The latest wave of attacks saw U.S. forces target infrastructure including military logistics facilities. Iranian state media reported strikes across the country, including in Bushehr, which is home to a nuclear power plant.
“Sources just reported hearing air defense activity in the western, eastern, and northeastern parts of Tehran,” state television posted on Telegram.
As this conflict approaches five months and with November’s legislative elections near, Trump faces mounting political pressure to de-escalate. The war has become increasingly unpopular even among some of his supporters.
Critics point out the financial toll: Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth noted Tuesday that costs have risen to $37.5 billion, justifying requests for tens of billions more to support military operations.
The U.S. military announced it had conducted an 11th night of strikes targeting Iranian military sites with the goal of diminishing Iran’s capacity to threaten maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier, Trump suggested that the next target could be an underground complex called Pickaxe Mountain, near Natanz, where Western intelligence suspects Iran is developing an undeclared uranium enrichment facility.
Iran has warned of retaliation, with Khatam Al-Anbiya military command stating that any such attack would be seen as an expansion of regional war. The group threatened to strike U.S. interests and allies worldwide, according to state media IRIB.
This warning coincides with Tehran expanding its strikes against U.S.-aligned Gulf states after its Houthi allies threatened to blockade Saudi ports.
Two weeks after renewed fighting between longstanding enemies, Trump claimed Iran would need over 20 years to rebuild from the damage inflicted, emphasizing the ongoing conflict.
“If we withdraw right now, Iran would take 20 to 25 years to recover,” Trump said. “We’re not done yet… we’re not leaving at this moment.”
Houthi Threats and Regional Tensions
Kuwait’s military reported engaging with drone attacks believed to be originating from Iran, signaling another round of Tehran’s retaliatory actions.
Bahrain reported intercepting Iranian assaults last Tuesday, with sirens sounding repeatedly. Kuwait and Jordan also announced intercepting drones and missiles.
Iran claims it targeted U.S. assets in Kuwait and Bahrain, including air defense systems, radar facilities, and administrative buildings.
“The enemy should prepare for even stronger waves of drone and missile attacks,” Iran’s Guards announced via state news agency IRNA.
Trump stated he would intervene if the Houthis carried out their threat to blockade Saudi ports but expressed uncertainty on how they would enforce such a blockade.
Maritime intelligence providers, like Vanguard Tech, reported that a Singapore-flagged tanker and a Liberia-flagged vessel changed course in the Red Sea after loading crude at Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port.
If the Houthis implement the blockade, it could obstruct Saudi Arabia’s ability to export some oil bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, with significant impacts on the global economy.
Recently, Saudi Arabia and the Houthis exchanged fire, ending a brief lull since the 2022 ceasefire. Still, the rebels have mostly remained silent since Israel and the U.S. launched strikes against Iran in late February.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced Tuesday that two tankers attempting to traverse the Strait of Hormuz were hit by explosions, causing fires that halted their progress.
Earlier, the UK Maritime Trade Operations reported an unknown projectile striking a tanker off Oman’s coast.
