US forces also struck nearly 60 Iranian military sites around the Strait of Hormuz. The targets included air defence systems, radar installations, maritime infrastructure, mine-laying facilities and communications networks.
Trump has been mulling over whether to discontinue the war that has extended over seven months now, according to a latest report by the Wall Street Journal. US President Donald Trump is considering declaring war on Iran, even as the Pentagon extends troop deployments in West Asia. The discussions come against the backdrop of the Pentagon upping its military presence in the West Asia region.
Iranian officials said the latest US strikes killed 18 people and wounded 142 others. Amid the fighting, the US also escorted 40 commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, two US officials told CNN. His administration last week launched Operation Economic Outcast, aimed at weakening Tehran’s main economic lifelines.
It was the largest number of ships protected in a single operation since the war began, according to the officials. Despite the continued military action, Trump has discussed with senior aides “whether to declare the Iran war over”, according to the WSJ report. The decision would give Trump “options in the war”, according to people familiar with the matter cited by the newspaper.
Tehran responded with attacks on US-linked facilities across the Gulf. The president privately favours such a move, particularly as the US mid-term elections approach and the conflict pushes up energy prices. Trump believes Iran will eventually dismantle its nuclear programme under mounting economic pressure. The extensions are intended to preserve the president’s military choices while the conflict remains unresolved.
The US central command (CENTCOM) said on Wednesday that American forces had struck multiple sites inside Iran.