June 10, 2026
The US military conducted a new round of airstrikes targeting Iran on Wednesday evening, just hours after President Trump warned of more attacks to pressure Tehran into returning to serious peace negotiations.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated:
“CENTCOM forces began conducting additional defensive airstrikes at 5:15 PM Eastern Time, targeting multiple objectives in Iran as directed by the Commander-in-Chief.”
CENTCOM stated that the attacks were carried out in response to actions described by the US as “unprovoked and sustained Iranian aggression.”
As of now, there is no official information regarding specific targets, extent of damage, or casualties.
The new airstrikes occurred after Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait – three nations hosting US military bases – were targeted by Iranian fire.
This wave of attacks also took place one day after the US launched its first airstrikes against Iran, following an incident where a US Army Apache helicopter was shot down by an Iranian drone near the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier the same day, the US military announced it had attacked an oil tanker allegedly transporting fuel from Iran in violation of the blockade on the country's ports.
Captain Tim Hawkins, a CENTCOM spokesperson, stated that a US aircraft used precision munitions to strike the engine room of the Palau-flagged M/T Settebello.
According to CENTCOM, this marks the eighth commercial vessel neutralized by US forces in waters near Iran since the blockade operation began.
India's Ministry of External Affairs reported that three Indian sailors were missing after the incident, while 21 others were rescued. India's statement did not mention the US military or the blockade operation.
Speaking to reporters in Florida, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated:
“President Trump said we’re going to hit Iran hard tonight, and we’re going to do it.”
Hegseth further emphasized:
“Iran still has the opportunity to achieve a good deal, a great deal, to do what they’ve said they’re willing to do but haven’t yet done.”
He also reiterated President Trump’s statement:
“As President Trump said, they keep knocking, knocking, knocking in negotiations. Instead, they will face bombs dropping on critical facilities in Iran from the United States of America.”
In response, Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani declared before the Security Council:
“Iran has never negotiated under threat and pressure, and will never succumb to pressure or coercion.”
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue.
According to an official familiar with the matter, following consultations with the US, a delegation from Qatar arrived in Tehran on Wednesday to hold new discussions.
The US wants Iran to abandon its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
While Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, experts assess that this quantity of uranium is only a short technical step away from weapons-grade levels.
Iran currently refuses to relinquish this uranium and demands that sanctions be lifted.
Tehran also wants its frozen assets unfrozen before a final agreement is reached, a condition President Trump has rejected.
In a Truth Social post on June 10, 2026, President Trump stated that Iran is “taking too long to negotiate a deal” and warned that the country “will pay a heavy price.”
Iran continues to insist that any agreement to end the conflict must include an end to hostilities between its ally Hezbollah and Israel.
However, Israel continues to escalate military operations against Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.
