U.S. Strikes Iranian Military Sites

U.S. Central Command conducted a fresh wave of strikes on Iranian military targets overnight, hitting command centers, air defense sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities. The command said the operation used precision munitions at multiple locations, including Bandar Abbas, to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran responded Thursday by declaring the strait an "invincible red line" and warning that any U.S. attempt to interfere would be met with force.

A spokesperson for Iran's top military command issued a statement on Telegram saying that if U.S. threats to strike power plants and bridges were carried out, remaining infrastructure across the region would be "crushed under the steel blows" of Iranian forces.

The spokesperson added that Iran would not allow the United States to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz under any circumstances. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson separately warned on Wednesday that the country's hands were not tied and that fighters would respond with full force to U.S. actions.

The latest strikes followed U.S. attacks earlier in the week that were launched after commercial ships in the strait came under attack. Iran has since targeted sites in Kuwait and Jordan and warned neighboring countries against allowing U.S. operations from their territory.

Trump said in a Tuesday interview that U.S. forces would target Iranian power plants and bridges next week unless a diplomatic breakthrough occurs. Oil prices fell Thursday morning, with Brent crude futures shedding 0.5 percent to $84.42 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude down nearly 0.2 percent at $79.47.