US attacks Iran again: explosions in Bandar Abbas and Sirik

The US inflicted new strikes on Iran after attacks to commercial vessels off Hormuz. Explosions were reported in Bandar Abbas and Sirik, Tehran threatens to respond.

The United States has launched a new series of strikes against Iran following attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media report explosions in Bandar Abbas, Sirik and other areas of the south of the country, and Tehran promises a massive response to American bases in the region.

According to Al Jazeerathe new attack came after Donald Trump said the memorandum to end the war with Iran was “finished.” In the south of Iran, according to Iranian agencies, explosions were heard in the area of ​​Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Qeshm Island and other objects connected to the Strait of Hormuz.

ویدیوی دریافتی: ‘#چابهار، چهارشنبه ۱۷ تیر حدود ساعت ۲۳:۳۰’
لحظاتی پس از حمله آمریکا#Iran pic.twitter.com/nrH9XZtr56

— Vahid Online (@Vahid) July 8, 2026

US forces are attacking southern Iran. pic.twitter.com/BrMyZ5hOm6

— Clash Report (@clashreport) July 8, 2026

US Central Command confirmed the start of new strikes. According to the message Xinhua Citing CENTCOM, US forces began launching “heavy strikes” against Iran following attacks on three commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

What CENTCOM Said

CENTCOM said in a statement that the strikes were ordered by the US President and are aimed at further weakening Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington holds Tehran responsible for recent attacks on merchant ships and civilian crews passing through the vital international shipping route.

At the direction of the Commander in Chief, US Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent…

— US Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 8, 2026

According to Axiosthe current series of strikes was the second in a row in two days and appears to be wider than previous attacks. An American official told the publication that the target was military installations related to Iran’s ability to threaten shipping off Hormuz.

At the direction of the Commander in Chief, US Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent…

— US Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 8, 2026

Reuters reports that as part of the new operation, the United States announced the defeat of more than 80 objects, including air defense systems, command posts, coastal radars, anti-ship missile sites and more than 60 IRGC boats in the Strait of Hormuz.

Explosions in southern Iran

Iranian media reported a series of explosions in the southern regions of the country. According to AnadoluIranian state television reported six explosions in the port city of Bandar Abbas, and Fars reported explosions in Sirik and Qeshm Island.

Jerusalem Post also writes that CENTCOM confirmed strikes in southern Iran, including Qeshm, Bandar Abbas and Sirik. At the same time, operational information remains fragmented: some reports come from Iranian semi-official agencies, some from American officials, and independent verification of the damage is still limited.

⚡️ Bushehr pic.twitter.com/VEeZuP0Xz2

— Middle East Observer (@ME_Observer_) July 8, 2026

⚡️ Photo || Part of the targeting of Chabahar city in southeastern Iran. pic.twitter.com/nTWWCYGuq7

— Middle East Observer (@ME_Observer_) July 8, 2026

All rights reserved. מקור צבאי לסוכנות הידיעות האיראנית “נור ניוז”: “נפתח בקרוב במתקפה מסיבית נגד בסיסי צבא ארה”ב באזור” pic.twitter.com/YWioWp2vkv

— החדשות – N12 (@N12News) July 8, 2026

Iranian sources also report the activation of air defense. Al Jazeera reports that power outages are being recorded in Chabahar province. In the face of ongoing strikes and retaliatory threats, this information requires careful presentation: the news war here is going on almost as quickly as the missile war.

Tehran promises an answer

An Iranian military source told Nur News that Tehran will “soon” launch a massive attack on US military bases in the region. Al Jazeera reports that Iran has already announced strikes on military targets in Bahrain and Kuwait in response to American attacks on the southern provinces.

If this line of escalation continues, not only southern Iran will be at risk, but also the entire US military presence in the Persian Gulf: bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Iraq become potential targets for retaliatory strikes or actions by forces associated with Iran.

Trump earlier warned at the NATO summit in Ankara of “hard strikes” against Iran if attacks on ships continue. Now this threat has become action. The political meaning is obvious: Washington is trying to show that it will not allow Tehran to control shipping off Hormuz. The military risk is also obvious: each subsequent strike makes a diplomatic rollback less and less likely.

Why Hormuz is key again

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most sensitive points of global energy. Athens News previously reported in detail that even conflicting reports about its status can rock the markets, since the critical flow of oil and gas passes through this route. Is Hormuz open or closed? US and Iran have given conflicting messages.

Even before the current attack, Athens News wrote that Iran had announced control over the restoration of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days. Araghchi: Iran will control the restoration of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz for 30 days. After new American strikes, this scheme is actually called into question.

For Greece, the Hormuz crisis has a special significance. Earlier, Athens News noted that a significant proportion of tankers passing through the strait are associated with Greek shipowners. 13.3% of tankers crossing the Strait of Hormuz are Greek owned. Therefore, we are talking not only about distant geopolitics, but also about risks for Greek shipping, insurance and energy prices.

Markets are already reacting

Amid the shocks, oil went up again. Athens News already wrote that Brent rose above $76 after American strikes on Iran and attacks on ships near Hormuz. Oil prices rise again after US strikes on Iran.

If the attacks continue, the market will be pricing in not only current losses, but also the risk of the conflict expanding: insurance rates for ships, freight costs, supply delays, the threat of retaliatory attacks on US bases and possible disruptions in oil exports from the region. And this is where the word “local conflict” finally turns into a bad joke: Hormuz is too small on the map and too big for the global economy.

Main conclusion

New US strikes on Iran mean a virtual breakdown of the de-escalation regime around the Strait of Hormuz. Washington says it is acting in response to attacks on commercial ships and is trying to protect freedom of navigation. Tehran, in turn, promises a massive response to American bases.

In the coming hours, three key questions will be: whether the United States will limit itself to strikes in southern Iran, whether Iran will launch a large-scale attack on American targets in the region, and whether at least partial shipping through Hormuz will be maintained. Not only the military situation in the Persian Gulf, but also oil prices, tanker insurance, inflation expectations and the safety of the Greek merchant fleet depend on these answers.

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