US launches 'additional self-defense' against multiple targets in Iran

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," it added.

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.

Meanwhile, Fox News reported that US military strikes are "ongoing."

It said a US official denied there are any skirmishes at sea between the US and Iran despite Iranian claims.

Iran’s military headquarters announced early Thursday the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels amid escalating tensions and hostilities in the region.

CENTCOM rejected Iran's claim, saying that commercial ships "are continuing to transit in and out" of the strait.

The command also said that "no US warships have been struck" in the strait.

'We'll bomb the shit out of them'

Trump later said that Iranian officials had contacted him during ongoing US military strikes and asked for the bombing campaign to stop while warning that further attacks could follow if Tehran does not agree to a deal sought by Washington.

In remarks relayed during an interview with Fox News, he said he was overseeing military operations from the White House Situation Room when the conversation took place.

"President Trump told me that Iran called him tonight, top Iranian officials, and President Trump spoke directly...as the president was sitting in the Situation Room, and he told me that the Iranians asked them to stop bombing, and the president said to me, the bombing will stop shortly," a Fox News reporter said.

Asked what will happen if the Iranians do not sign an agreement that was put forward by American negotiators, Trump told Fox News that "we'll bomb the shit out of them."

Trump also said Israel did not get involved in the latest strikes against Iran.