Trump vows retaliation as US-Iran tensions escalate despite peace framework
The military confrontation between the United States and Iran intensified on Monday and Tuesday, with both sides carrying out new strikes across the Middle East, while US President Donald Trump warned that Iran would face severe consequences if additional American troops were killed.
The latest developments come despite a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding signed in June, under which Washington and Tehran agreed to work toward ending the conflict and pursuing a lasting peace agreement.
Trump warns Iran over US casualties
President Donald Trump said Iran would "pay many times over" for every American soldier killed, adding that he had instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Daniel Caine and US military leaders to respond forcefully to any further attacks.
The White House said military operations would continue while diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran remain open.
A US official said President Trump was focused on making Iran "pay" for alleged violations of the memorandum of understanding, including attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and the deaths of US service members.
According to CNN, both countries are also considering a proposed 10-day ceasefire aimed at creating conditions for renewed negotiations, including discussions on restoring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
US expands strikes on Iranian military targets
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces carried out another round of strikes against Iranian military infrastructure.
According to CENTCOM, the attacks targeted command centers, missile and drone launch sites, air defense systems and maritime capabilities with the stated aim of reducing Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The command said commercial traffic through the international maritime corridor continued, adding that approximately 900 vessels transporting around 450 million barrels of crude oil had transited the route since early May.
Iran claims strikes on US bases in Gulf
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had launched missile and drone attacks against US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain as part of the latest phase of its military campaign.
According to the IRGC, strikes on Kuwait's Ali Al Salem Air Base targeted an MQ-9 drone hangar, radar installations, communications centers and satellite systems.
Iran also claimed to have struck a Patriot air defense system and a radar facility in Bahrain.
The claims have not been independently verified, and US authorities had not publicly confirmed the reported damage.
Strait of Hormuz tensions deepen
The IRGC also claimed that two tankers caught fire after attempting to transit what it described as an unsafe southern route through the Strait of Hormuz following US military navigation guidance.
Iran said rescue teams evacuated the crews and warned commercial shipping companies against relying on US navigation instructions in the area.
Tehran reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed as long as what it described as US military aggression continued, while Washington insisted commercial shipping remained operational.
US reports troop casualties
The Pentagon confirmed three US military deaths over the weekend, including two service members killed at a base in Jordan and another in northern Iraq.
Separately, Pentagon officials told CBS News that nearly 100 US service members had sustained injuries in Iranian attacks on military facilities across the Middle East since July 7.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said almost all of those injured had suffered minor concussions and that 96 percent had already returned to active duty.
Global travel warning issued
Amid the escalating regional tensions, the US State Department issued a worldwide security advisory for American citizens.
The department warned that the security environment remained unpredictable and advised Americans in the Middle East to prepare for possible flight disruptions, temporary airspace closures and rapidly changing security conditions.
It also urged US citizens outside the region to reconsider travel to and through the Middle East, warning that Iran or groups aligned with Tehran could target US interests worldwide.
Trump comments on Netanyahu
In a separate statement, Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "will not be arrested" while visiting the United States.
His remarks followed comments by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who said his administration's legal department had discussed the possibility of arresting Netanyahu because of the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
Netanyahu has postponed a planned visit to the United States from this month until September.
Source:AA
