The US military has confirmed fresh strikes on targets within Iran on the 16th local time, marking the sixth consecutive night of American airstrike operations. The operation aims to further degrade Iran's military capabilities, following previous strikes on command centers, air defense systems, and missile and drone combat facilities. In response to sustained US pressure, Iran has not backed down, launching retaliatory attacks on US assets located in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.
US President Trump recently stated publicly that military operations will continue until deemed appropriate by the US. He issued a clear warning that if Iran refuses to return to the negotiating table, the US military will expand its strike scope to include infrastructure such as bridges and power plants next week. These remarks quickly sparked concern among market participants and geopolitical observers. The Iranian military responded firmly that if the US attacks civilian facilities, Iran will destroy all remaining infrastructure in the region. The Foreign Ministry also clarified that there are no current plans to return to negotiations given the US violation of Memorandum of Understanding commitments.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed by both parties in June is now difficult to implement, with fundamental disagreements over the enforcement of core clauses regarding merchant ship safety. The US has resumed a naval blockade, while Iran has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides claim control over the strait, causing merchant ship traffic in the waters to drop to low levels. Military analysts note that current US actions focus on weakening Iran's ability to blockade the strait, with strikes concentrated on radar stations and speedboat facilities in the southern part of the strait. Although both sides maintain diplomatic contact, this state of conflict alongside negotiations could lead to a long-term stalemate. While the confrontation has not completely spiraled out of control, the risks of brinkmanship are continuously accumulating.
