US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it launched "additional self-defense strikes" against multiple targets in Iran on Wednesday at the direction of President Donald Trump.
"U.S. Central Command forces began launching additional self-defense strikes today at 5:15 p.m. ET (2115GMT) against multiple targets in Iran at the Commander in Chief’s direction," CENTCOM said on the US social media platform X.
"The strikes are in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression."
Earlier Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that planned American military strikes would focus on “key facilities” in Iran, warning that operations scheduled for the coming hours would be “strong and clear."
"Central Command will be busy tonight because President Trump said we will be hitting Iran hard, and we will be," Hegseth told reporters at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.
Trump's decision to escalate attacks after Iran shot down an Apache helicopter earlier this week followed months of regional tensions that began on Feb. 28 after Israeli and US strikes on Iran triggered a cycle of military confrontations, retaliatory attacks and diplomatic disputes.
