The United States military launched airstrikes against 90 sites across southern Iran on Thursday, July 9, 2026, to degrade Tehran’s capability to target commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz.
The operation triggered missile sirens across Gulf nations and caused global Brent crude oil prices to spike more than 5 percent to nearly $80 a barrel amid supply disruption fears.
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US Central Command stated that the action followed recent attacks on three commercial ships in the strategic waterway, effectively ending last month's interim truce between Washington and Tehran.
Trump Ends Ceasefire, Warns of Escalation
President Donald Trump announced the termination of the ceasefire after the initial wave of retaliatory bombardments on Wednesday.
He later posted on social media to explain that the deployment served as a direct response to maritime aggression, calling it "retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran."
Trump further cautioned that the military engagement would intensify if Tehran continued its hostile operations, warning it would "get much worse."
Speaking to journalists during his flight, Trump mentioned receiving indications that the Iranian government wanted to negotiate "so badly."
He expressed uncertainty regarding future diplomatic engagements during the NATO summit in Turkey, saying he was "not sure."
When questioned by reporters about his critical stance toward the Iranian leadership, Trump noted his personal assessment, calling them "scum."
"I don’t want to deal with them anymore, they’re scum. You know what scum is?
They’re scum. They’re sick people," Trump said.
