The U.S. military began launching strikes in Iran on Wednesday, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The strikes commenced at 5:15 p.m. ET and were described as self-defense actions directed by the Commander in Chief in response to what CENTCOM termed Iran's continued aggression.
Earlier on the same day, President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. would strike Iran 'very hard' again, emphasizing the need for Tehran to negotiate a deal. At a signing event for the Secure America Act, Trump remarked, 'We hit them hard yesterday, and we're going to hit them hard again today.' He expressed a desire for a meaningful agreement with Iran, stating, 'We'll see what happens with the deal.'
In reaction to the strikes, Ebrahim Azizi, head of the national security commission in Iran's parliament, warned that the conflict could extend beyond the region. Trump also commented on Iran's military capabilities, stating that they have been significantly weakened.
Following Trump's statements, oil prices increased, with U.S. crude rising nearly 2% to $89.72 per barrel and Brent crude up 1.3% to $92.74. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by over 600 points since the remarks.
Trump reiterated his belief that oil prices would return to pre-war levels, while analysts suggested that prices could rise to $150 per barrel if tensions continue. The escalation followed U.S. strikes in response to the downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter, an incident that Iran has not directly claimed responsibility for. The Iranian Foreign Ministry did not provide a comment on the situation.