U.S. expands strikes on Iran

President Donald Trump said on July 8 that the United States had launched further strikes on Iran after attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, opening a new phase of military action as he attended a NATO summit in Ankara. U.S. Central Command said the strikes were intended to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten shipping in the waterway, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes. Trump said at the summit that the interim agreement with Iran was “over” and that more strikes could follow. The military action unfolded as Trump ended the gathering publicly praising allied “unity,” even after pressing European governments over Iran. ### Why did Washington say it struck Iran again? U.S. Central Command said on July 8 that the new attacks were retaliation for Iranian assaults on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM said the operation was meant “to further degrade” Iran’s capacity to threaten freedom of navigation and accused Tehran of aggression against civilian crews in an international waterway. (time.com) More than 80 targets were hit in an earlier wave described by U.S. officials, including small boats, air defense systems, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities and command networks, according to Politico’s account of CENTCOM statements. The Strait handles about a fifth of global oil flows, making attacks there a central trigger for the U.S. response. (time.com) ### What did Trump say in Ankara as the strikes unfolded? Trump told reporters in Ankara on July 8, “We hit them very hard last night, and we'll probably hit them hard again tonight,” according to Time’s account of his remarks. He also said the interim arrangement with Iran was finished, adding: “I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them anymore.” (politico.com) At the end of the NATO summit, Trump shifted tone and said there had been “a lot of unity,” after earlier lashing out at allies for not backing the U.S. war effort against Iran and threatening Spain over trade. Reuters and the New York Times both reported that contrast between Trump’s public complaints and his closing praise for the alliance. (time.com) ### How did NATO officials and Iran respond? NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called the U.S. strikes “absolutely necessary,” according to Time, and said allies should reaffirm that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon. He also said reopening the Strait of Hormuz was “crucial for all 32 allies.” Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, said the United States had violated the interim peace agreement first. (usnews.com) He pointed to Washington’s reinstatement of sanctions on Iranian oil sales and to continued U.S. threats of further attacks, according to Time. ### Why were European allies under pressure at the same time? Ankara became the setting for two tracks at once on July 8: U.S. military retaliation against Iran and Trump’s effort to press NATO governments for stronger backing. (time.com) Reuters reported that Trump told allies he wanted to keep the United States in NATO, even as he criticized partners including Spain. The New York Times reported that he praised “unity” only after assailing allies for not joining the war with Iran. CNN and CNBC reported that European leaders left Ankara without announcing any new NATO commitment to join the Iran conflict. Their accounts said leaders worked to calm Trump during the summit while avoiding a broader alliance rupture. ### What happens next? The New York Times reported on July 9 that the U.S. military had hit dozens of Iranian targets for a second straight night and that Iran’s military said it responded with missiles and drones aimed at U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. (msn.com) Politico reported that about 50,000 U.S. troops remain in the region and Pentagon officials expect that force level to stay in place for most of the summer while a longer-term deal is negotiated. (msn.com) (nytimes.com)