Middle East War: US launches fresh strikes on 'multiple targets in Iran' post-Trump warning: Latest in crude & gold

The United States has launched a fresh round of military strikes against what the Donald Trump administration described as "self-defence strikes against multiple targets" in Iran, escalating tensions in the region after American President Donald Trump said negotiations with Tehran had failed to produce progress toward a deal. According to foreign media reports, the latest attacks targeted Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems and air defence sites across the country. Confirming the strikes, the US Central Command took to social media to say American forces had completed operations against facilities that posed a threat to US troops and international commercial shipping in regional waters.

"CENTCOM forces launched strikes on Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense sites across Iran," the command -- which directs US military operations to defend national interests and ensure regional stability -- wrote on microblogging site X (formerly Twitter).

It also noted that assets from the US Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy used precision-guided munitions during the operation.

The attacks, which began at around 5:15 pm Eastern Time on Wednesday (around 2:15 am on Thursday in India), were described by the US military as a response to what it called Iran's "unwarranted and continued aggression".

Separately, the command rubbished Iranian media reports suggesting that Iran had attacked a US warship in the Strait of Hormuz. "No US warships have been struck," wrote the American body.

Trump called Iran talks elusive before fresh strikes

The latest strikes came hours after Trump warned that Washington would resume military action if negotiations with Tehran failed to advance. He categorically described a potential deal aimed at ending the conflict as "elusive", prompting the decision to launch another wave of attacks.

The renewed hostilities follow US strikes carried out a day earlier. Washington launched those attacks after a US helicopter was allegedly brought down by an Iranian drone, according to foreign media reports.

Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that explosions were heard across several parts of the country early Thursday local time. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly said its aerospace and naval units had conducted operations against US targets, desribing its actions as retaliation for American attacks.

The Iranian military also claimed that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz had been closed -- claims rejected by the US military.

The Strait of Hormuz -- a maritime region connecting the Gulf of Oman with the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea that is central to the conflict -- normally enables the supply of one-fifth of the world's oil and gas. Any disruption to traffic through the waterway is closely watched by energy markets and governments worldwide.

The latest exchange of strikes marks a further deterioration in relations between Washington and Tehran, with diplomatic efforts appearing increasingly uncertain, say analysts.

Both sides have signalled a willingness to continue military operations even as discussions over a possible agreement remain unresolved, raising fresh concerns about the outcome of the broader conflict that began with joint US-Israel stikes against Tehran on February 28.

On Wednesday, the US president also alleged that certain segments of the media failed to report how effective America's Naval blockade is in the Strait of Hormuz. "Nothing gets through unless we want it to. It is a steel wall!! Iran is doing zero business, not paying their military, or any of their bills, and (is) quickly becoming a failed nation! Lots of oil is getting out," he wrote on Truth Social.

Crude and Gold: Energy and commodity market update

Global markets remained on edge following the latest news. Brent crude was last seen trading at $94.4 a barrel, up 1.4 per cent, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was up 1.7 per cent at $91.6 a barrel.

Gold -- traditionally viewed as a safe-haven asset during periods of geopolitical uncertainty -- showed a more muted reaction. Spot gold was trading flat at $4,069.8 an ounce, having rebounded from a six-month low.

How Wall Street fared

On Wednesday, headline index tumbled nearly two per cent each amid renewed tensions between the US and Iran. The S&P 500 closed 1.6 per cent lower, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) fell 1.9 per cent and the technology stocks-heavy Nasdaq Composite tanked 2.0 per cent.

American tech stocks confirmed a correction phase.