The United States carried out strikes across southern Iran for a second straight day. Although several violations have occurred since a ceasefire was reached in April, this week’s attacks—triggered after a US helicopter was downed over the Strait of Hormuz—mark the most serious breach so far. President Donald Trump has warned of possible further action, while Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that any strikes on Friday night would be strong and clear. US officials have tried to minimise the attacks in briefings, insisting the ceasefire still holds and talks with Iran continue. Yet Trump posted on Thursday that the US plans to seize key Iranian infrastructure and take control of its oil sector, comparing the move to its approach with Venezuela. Iran is unlikely to accept any agreement granting the US oversight of its oil industry. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump instructed aides to assure Iran through Qatar that the strikes did not mean a return to full-scale war and were only a response to the helicopter incident. A White House official told Politico that military and diplomatic tracks remain separate. Former official Brett McGurk said the US had signalled the attack in advance to manage escalation without restarting the earlier campaign. Trump has long claimed a permanent deal is near and has sought to avoid renewed war, but his approval ratings have fallen as the conflict grows unpopular domestically. Rising prices are also pressuring his party ahead of midterms. Major gaps persist over Iran’s nuclear limits, frozen assets, and Israel’s actions in Lebanon. Defence Secretary Hegseth said the strikes aim to set terms for the deal Trump wants, adding that the US will negotiate with bombs if needed. Reports indicate the goal is to increase military pressure until Iran accepts those terms. An operation described as large but brief was discussed to shift Iran’s negotiating stance. Analyst Hamidreza Azizi noted that targeting air defences and radar systems also aims to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and reassure maritime traffic. Iran’s UN ambassador stated that no lasting agreement can be reached through force or threats and that Tehran will not negotiate under pressure.
