The United States launched a new round of strikes against Iran after President Donald Trump signaled he would “hit them hard again tonight” following an exchange of attacks overnight Tuesday.

Iranian state media has reported explosions in southern parts of the country, including Sirik and Bandar Abbas, port cities in the Strait of Hormuz.

US Central Command (Centcom) said the strikes were carried out to “further degrade Tehran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation” in the vital waterway.

Iran has not yet commented, but senior officials previously warned that any US attack would receive an “immediate response.”

Centcom added: “The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial ships and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway.”

Several explosions have also reportedly been heard in the southern cities of Konarak and Chabahar.

Air defense systems have been activated in Bandar Abbas, according to Iranian state media reports.

On Tuesday, the US military said it had launched “powerful” strikes in response to attacks on three oil tankers in the strait.

On Wednesday, Iran said it had attacked US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait in retaliation.

Tuesday into Wednesday saw the worst exchange of attacks between the United States and Iran since the deal, known as the memorandum of understanding (MoU), was signed on June 17.

Trump said Wednesday that the ceasefire deal signed last month with Iran “is over,” adding that the United States “hit them really hard last night” and “will probably hit them hard again tonight.”

In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X: “We do not respond to vulgarity with vulgarity, but with action: without fear and with great courage.”

The deal between the United States and Iran included 14 points, including a 60-day ceasefire period during which negotiations should continue, the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of sanctions on Iran by the United States.

The 60-day period for negotiations has not yet ended, but Trump has said he considers further talks “a waste of time.”

These are not the first strikes since the MoU was signed.

The United States launched a series of strikes against Iran on June 26 after an Iranian projectile hit a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

On June 27, new American attacks occurred, after an attack on an oil tanker. But that same month, both sides agreed to “quit.”