Overview
- U.S. Central Command said it carried out precision airstrikes on Iranian surveillance, communications and air‑defense sites, an operation reported by multiple outlets on Thursday.
- Iran’s government and the IRGC said they struck U.S. regional bases and naval assets in response, and Tehran declared the April ceasefire "practically meaningless."
- President Donald Trump publicly threatened heavy strikes and to seize Kharg Island before posting that scheduled strikes were cancelled because talks had been approved at the highest Iranian levels, while keeping the naval blockade in place.
- U.S. forces have disabled merchant vessels enforcing the blockade, with CENTCOM naming the tanker M/T Jalveer and India reporting three sailors killed on the M/T Settebello, prompting diplomatic protests.
- Mediators including Pakistan and Qatar report fragile negotiations are continuing even as Russia, China and Gulf states warn that further escalation would threaten civilians and global energy markets.