• The US has launched new strikes against Iran after President Trump declared the ceasefire is over.
• These strikes aim to degrade Iran's capability to threaten navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Explosions were reported in significant Iranian port cities following the military action.

The United States has conducted a new series of strikes on Iran, a reaction prompted by President Donald Trump's announcement that the ceasefire is "over" following Iranian aggression against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) justified the military action by stating it aims to "further degrade Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation" in this crucial maritime route, where a significant portion of the world’s oil is transported, according to Indiatimes and BBC.

Reports from Iranian state media indicate that multiple explosions have occurred in key cities such as Bandar Abbas and Sirik, underscoring the escalation of tensions in the region. A representative from CENTCOM reiterated that the US is holding Iran accountable for "unjustified aggression" against civilian vessels, following a series of attacks on tankers, as highlighted by Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

The new round of strikes marks the most severe military escalation since the June ceasefire agreement, which sought to mitigate hostilities between the two nations. However, the arrangement has now reportedly been deemed ineffective, with Trump asserting that the US would not engage in prolonged military action and suggesting that further negotiations could still occur, according to Channel News Asia and Le Monde.