Donald Trump threatened to "hit Iran hard" during today's NATO summit.

21:21, Wed, Jul 8, 2026 Updated: 23:30, Wed, Jul 8, 2026

Donald Trump has ordered new strikes on Iran

Donald Trump has ordered new strikes on Iran (Image: Getty)

Donald Trump has ordered the US military to carry out new attacks on Iranian targets, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. The US have started "additional strikes" after Iran's "recent unjustified aggression" on civilian crews, CENTCOM said.

A message from the Central Command shared on X read: "At the direction of the Commander in Chief, U.S. 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 unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway."

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Yesterday, the US Command said several targets were hit after "a series of powerful strikes" which started after alleged Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Later on, the Command added that "over 80 targets" were hit.

Three civilian vessels were hit in the strait earlier on Tuesday, according to UN International Maritime Organisation figures. Iran did not immediately claim any of the attacks. President Trump appeared to launch an ultimatum to Iran earlier this week, saying "we're either going to have a deal or we're going to have a war".

Speaking at the NATO summit held in Turkey yesterday and today, the president said: “If we make a deal with Iran, I’m not sure that will stick because I found them to be very dishonourable. We hit them very hard last night, very, very hard."

He added that the US will "probably hit them hard again tonight".

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His comments on the fragile ceasefire caused another spike in oil prices. Brent crude oil jumped by around 6.5% to $79 a barrel on Wednesday morning after Mr Trump said the ceasefire was over.

Mr Trump's comments also followed months of intermittent conflict and intense diplomatic manoeuvring between Washington and Tehran.

Despite a two-week ceasefire was agreed in April, and later extended indefinitely, the situation in the Middle East remains precarious.