The U.S. Central Command confirmed strikes on Iran for the 11th consecutive night, targeting military operations centers, drone storage facilities, and maritime infrastructure in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported air defenses activating in Tehran, with explosions heard in Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, and Bushehr, home to Iran’s only nuclear power plant. The U.S. accused Iran of attacking more than 30 commercial vessels
in the waterway, calling the strikes a threat to freedom of navigation.
Trump’s Escalation and Iran’s Response
President Trump warned of imminent strikes on an underground nuclear site known as Pickaxe Mountain, stating, We’ll be hitting that area pretty soon, and very heavily.
The threat came after Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya military command labeled such an attack an expansion of war in the region,
vowing retaliation against all the interests of America, the allies and supporters.
Iran also warned of reprisals following Trump’s earlier remarks about targeting its nuclear facilities.
The conflict has spilled into regional airspace, with Kuwait’s army engaging drone attacks from Iran and Bahrain and Jordan intercepting missile strikes. Trump further escalated tensions by threatening to “take care of” Houthi rebels in Yemen if they followed through on a planned blockade of Saudi ports. The Red Sea, critical for oil shipments, has become a flashpoint as Houthi forces threaten to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait, disrupting global trade.
Financial Strain and Funding Demands
The war has cost the U.S. $37.5bn (£28bn) so far, an increase of nearly $8bn since May, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Appearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hegseth said military training would have to be curtailed unless lawmakers approved an urgent funding boost.
Iran’s strikes have also inflicted significant damage on U.S. assets. A Wall Street Journal investigation revealed that Iran’s attacks over four months devastated the U.S. Fifth Fleet’s base in Bahrain, leaving the $200 million headquarters no longer usable.
The report estimated rebuilding the base alone would cost $400 million, with over 20 U.S. sites across the region sustaining damage valued in the billions.
Political Crisis and Ceasefire Fallout
The conflict has deepened internal divisions within the U.S. political establishment. Republican Senator Roger Wicker criticized Trump’s June ceasefire agreement with Iran, stating it negotiates away the victories
of the war, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries argued that under the deal Iran is stronger and America is less safe.
The Wall Street Journal editorial board demanded an escalation, declaring Iran Is Winning the Battle of Hormuz
and urging Trump to reopen the Strait by force.
Trump’s ceasefire announcement faced backlash from both parties, with Republican Senator Bill Cassidy criticizing the agreement as a draw against a medium-sized power.
The Pentagon has downplayed the scale of damage, with a U.S. official stating no Iranian missiles or drones reached their targets. However, satellite evidence cited by the Wall Street Journal contradicted this, showing extensive destruction at the Bahrain base.
The war’s financial and strategic toll underscores the fragile state of U.S.-Iran relations. With Trump’s threats and Iran’s defiance, the region remains on the brink of further escalation, as both sides navigate the consequences of a conflict that has already reshaped global energy markets and military alliances.
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