On the night of June 11, Kyiv time, regional tensions reached a critical point. The US military resumed hostilities against Iran, initiating a series of strikes on the country's territory. Explosions were recorded in several areas, confirmed by both official statements from US command and reports from local media.
Official US Position: Self-Defense and Response to Aggression
US Central Command (CENTCOM) officially confirmed the operation. In a statement published on the social network X, it was reported that at 17:15 Eastern Time, forces began striking several targets. This decision was made by order of the Commander-in-Chief.
The US side qualifies these actions as necessary measures of self-defense. The document emphasizes that the strikes are a direct response to "unjustified and continuing aggression" by Iran.
Attack Targets: From Air Defense to Industrial Facilities
According to Axios journalists citing an unnamed Pentagon official, the strikes are concentrated in southern Iran. The list of targets included key elements of military infrastructure: air defense systems (ADS), radar stations, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control points.
Iranian media report a wider geography of the strikes. Explosions are reported in the area of the Strait of Hormuz, in western Tehran, as well as in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, in close proximity to the airport and air base. Furthermore, Iranian sources claim that a petrochemical plant at the South Park gas field in Asaluyeh was hit.
Breakdown of Diplomacy and Threat of Escalation
The military escalation occurred against the backdrop of failed diplomatic efforts. The New York Times reports that the chances of a peaceful settlement have sharply decreased after the Qatari delegation left Iran on Wednesday evening without achieving progress in negotiations.
US President Donald Trump previously stated that Iran was dragging out negotiations and warned that Tehran would have to "pay the price for it." On the night of June 10, the sides had already exchanged strikes: the US attacked ground targets, while Iran retaliated against US bases in the Middle East. Following this, hostilities temporarily ceased, but during the day Trump promised a "very strong strike".
Background of the Conflict
The immediate trigger for the new wave of attacks was Trump's statement that a US military AH-64 helicopter was shot down in the Strait of Hormuz area. The US President blamed Iran and promised a harsh response.
In the evening, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth confirmed readiness for the operation, stating that the attack could occur either that night or the next day. According to Axios materials, a large-scale but short-term operation was discussed, aimed at influencing Tehran's negotiating position.