14.07.2026 06:20
The US, under President Donald Trump's orders, launched air strikes against Iran for the third consecutive night. Iran, in turn, targeted two UAE tankers in the Strait of Hormuz with cruise missiles. The attack resulted in one death and eight injuries. Trump stated that the operations would continue, but mentioned that a deal is still on the table.
The clashes in the ongoing war between the US and Iran intensified further on its third night. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that new airstrikes against Iran were launched on the orders of President Donald Trump, while Iran targeted two tankers belonging to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM: THIRD NIGHT OF AIRSTRIKES BEGINS
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) shared the news of the attack on its social media account. The post stated, "CENTCOM, on the orders of President Donald Trump, has begun airstrikes against Iran for the third consecutive night."
The statement claimed that the attacks would inflict heavy losses on Iranian forces and that they would continue to weaken Iran's ability to attack civilians and commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
IRANIAN MEDIA: SUCCESSIVE EXPLOSIONS HEARD
Following the US military's announcement of launching airstrikes against Iran, explosion sounds were reported in the cities of Bandar Abbas in the Strait of Hormuz region, as well as on the islands of Qeshm, Kish, and Abu Musa.
According to Iranian media, explosions occurred in Bandar Abbas city in Hormozgan province and on the islands of Qeshm, Kish, and Abu Musa.
Meanwhile, explosions were also reported in Bushehr province, while the Hormozgan governorate stated that no casualties had been recorded in the attacks so far.
TRUMP: WE WILL HIT VERY HARD TONIGHT AND TOMORROW
US President Donald Trump, appearing on Hugh Hewitt's podcast program, said that operations against Iran would continue.
"We will hit them very hard tonight, and we will hit them very hard tomorrow," Trump said, arguing that Iran lacks the capacity to retaliate.
Trump stated, "There is nothing they can do to stop this. They have nothing. They have nothing other than talking big words."
Criticizing the Iranian administration harshly, Trump said, "These people are crazy. We had a deal where we won everything, but they break deals. For them, deals are made to be broken. They are extremely unreliable people."
Trump claimed that if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, it would "use them within one day," adding, "I think they are a bit crazy. I think they all are."
"ATTACKS WILL CONTINUE, A DEAL IS STILL POSSIBLE"
Trump also made statements regarding the Iran agenda during a signing ceremony at the Oval Office. Stating that attacks on Iran will continue, Trump said, "We have a massive amount of ammunition. We have reached levels we haven't had in years, and we are hitting them very hard, and this will continue."
Noting that they have reinstated a naval blockade against Iran in addition to military operations, Trump said, "We are reinstating the blockade. This blockade applies only to Iran. Those doing business with Iran cannot pass, but everyone else can." However, Trump indicated that he has not completely abandoned negotiations, stating, "I think a deal is still possible."
Trump also claimed they have severely damaged Iran's military capacity, asserting that they have neutralized the Iranian navy within a month, that the air force is now "effectively non-existent," and that they have destroyed 89% of missile production capacity and 92% of unmanned aerial vehicle production capacity. The US President argued that they had reached a deal with Iran two days ago, but Tehran backtracked by demanding further negotiations, and that they carried out the attacks to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Commenting on activities in the Gulf region, Trump said they protect allies such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, adding, "We are protecting a very rich region of the world. I want to be paid for that."
IRAN LAUNCHES MISSILE ATTACK ON TANKERS IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense announced that two UAE-owned tankers, "Mombasa" and "Al Bahiyah," passing through the Strait of Hormuz were hit by an Iranian cruise missile attack within Omani territorial waters.
In a statement from the Ministry, it was reported that one Indian crew member on the tanker "Mombasa" lost his life in the attack, and a total of 8 people were injured, 4 of them seriously.
It was stated that 6 of the injured were Indian nationals and 2 were Ukrainian nationals. Following the attack, fires on the tankers were brought under control, but material damage occurred on the vessels.
The UAE Ministry of Defense statement said, "We condemn this reckless attack, which is considered a serious violation of international law and threatens the security and stability of the region."
The statement also emphasized that the UAE reserves the right to respond to Iran's attacks and take measures to protect its people and sovereignty, adding that all necessary precautions have been taken in this regard.