U.S. Resumes Limited Strikes on Iran to Secure Shipping Lanes After Ceasefire Violation

President Trump formally notified Congress last week that the United States has resumed military strikes against Iran. In a two-page letter sent Friday, he told lawmakers that strikes began July 7 and provided the Pentagon an extra 60 days to use U.S. forces in the Central Command theater without further congressional approval.

The United States restarted its blockade of Iranian ships through the Strait of Hormuz on July 13. President Trump posted on social media that the strait remains open with or without Iran and that the U.S. will be known as the Guardian of the Hormuz Strait while charging 20 percent of cargo value to cover security costs.

Overnight U.S. forces struck Iranian coastal defense systems along with missile, drone and maritime sites. Fifty thousand U.S. troops were active in the Middle East during the operations. Iranian missiles targeted a U.S.

Air base in Jordan in response. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement urging Jordanians to dismantle American bases there. On July 10 President Trump sent a letter to Congress stating that strikes which began July 7 represent military action to protect Americans and U.S.

Interests. Speaking to Salem News on July 13, President Trump said the U.S. would hit Iran hard that night and the next day. He described Iran as having big mouths and being stone cold crazy, adding that deals are made to be broken and that the country is extremely unreliable.

President Trump confirmed the U.S. was attacking Iran's capabilities related to the Strait of Hormuz. He also stated the U.S. is looking into whether Iran is storing drones in Cuba and said any such drones would be addressed.