U.S. strikes Iranian targets near Strait of Hormuz for second day

The U.S. military struck Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday for the second day in a row, a U.S. official said.

The strikes included cruise missiles aimed at two railway bridges in northeastern Iran. This was the first time the U.S. hit Iranian infrastructure since an April 8 ceasefire.

U.S. Central Command said its forces conducted the additional strikes to degrade Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the strait. The statement said the U.S. is holding Iran accountable for recent attacks on commercial shipping and civilian crews.

President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that Iranian officials called him a short time earlier because they want to make a deal. He said the strikes responded to Iranian attacks on commercial ships.

"We hit them pretty hard," Trump said. "When they hit, we hit back much harder."

Later Wednesday on Truth Social, Trump warned that if Tehran strikes commercial ships again, the U.S. response "will get much worse!"

Iranian state media reported strikes in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Chabahar, Lavan Island and other areas along Iran's southern coast near the strait. Targets included Iranian military coastal radars, anti-ship missile positions and air defense systems.

A U.S. official said Wednesday's strikes were wider in scope than those carried out on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Kuwait army said its air defenses were confronting hostile missile and drone attacks. Bahrain's Interior Ministry reported air raid sirens sounding in the kingdom.

The developments come as U.S. officials seek to stop Iran from striking commercial ships in the vital waterway.