Trump says Iran will be hit ‘very hard tonight,’ vows control of key oil hub

The United States and Iran traded another round of strikes overnight, pushing the two sides closer to a wider conflict

just days after President Trump said a peace deal could be within reach

The U.S. military fired Tomahawk cruise missiles and carried out a second night of attacks inside Iran

targeting surveillance sites, communication systems, and air defense positions. Explosions were reported across several parts of Iran, including near the Strait of Hormuz

the strategic waterway at the center of the conflict. Iran responded by claiming it targeted U.S. military assets across the region

including in Bahrain and Kuwait. Bahrain says its air defenses intercepted multiple drones overnight

and Jordan says it shot down missiles headed toward an area that houses American troops

The attacks also briefly shut down Kuwaiti airspace, forcing commercial flights to reroute across the region

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaking in Cuba Wednesday made clear the airstrikes are meant to increase pressure on Tehran not ease it President Trump he willing to go back and fight as necessary but has given Iran an open hand to make this deal

It's right there. They have that chance. They're choosing to play games. They're choosing to tap

If they want to tap, then the president will turn to the War Department

If we need to negotiate with bombs, we'll negotiate with bombs. And we're very good at it

Nobody better in the world. And again, so we're in lockstep with the White House, in lockstep with the negotiating team to make sure we set the conditions

And the targets tonight are meant to do that. The remarks came after President Trump accused Iran of taking too long to reach a deal and warned Tehran it would pay the price if negotiations continue to stall

Iran says it's still open to talks, but continues to refuse U.S. demands that it give up its stockpile of enriched uranium

and now says the U.S. attacks are a flagrant violation of international law that has rendered the ceasefire meaningless