WASHINGTON-TEHRAN, July 13. /Dunyo IA/. The United States and Iran continued exchanging strikes despite statements by US President Donald Trump that negotiations could continue, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing Reuters.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it launched a new wave of strikes against Iran on the evening of July 12. According to the US military, the operation was aimed at further reducing Tehran’s ability to attack civilian vessels and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM later said dozens of military targets had been hit, including air defence systems, coastal radar sites, and missile and drone capabilities. The command said US forces were prepared to ensure freedom of navigation despite Iran’s statements that the strait had been closed.

Iranian state media reported explosions in the areas of Sirik, Bandar Abbas, Jask and on Qeshm Island. According to the IRNA news agency, one person was killed and several others were injured in the US strikes.

Following the latest US attacks, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had targeted US military facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. Iran had earlier also reported attacks on US-linked facilities in Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Jordan’s military said it had intercepted several Iranian missiles. Kuwait said its armed forces had responded to aerial threats, while Bahrain reported intercepting airborne targets and the UAE said it had repelled missile and drone attacks.

The escalation followed a series of retaliatory strikes after the United States previously hit about 140 Iranian military sites. According to CENTCOM, US forces have struck more than 300 military targets in Iran over the past several days.

The renewed fighting has put at risk an interim agreement between Washington and Tehran signed in June. The deal was intended to halt hostilities, restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and allow further negotiations.

Last week, Trump said he considered the ceasefire effectively over but added that talks could continue. Commenting on the latest strikes, he said: “We’re beating them up.”

Iran, meanwhile, accused the United States of undermining diplomatic efforts. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the latest US attacks had made months of efforts to reduce tensions and establish peace in the region futile.

Tehran also said talks with Oman on arrangements for managing the Strait of Hormuz ended without progress, blaming what it called US pressure on Oman.

The two sides continue to issue conflicting statements over the status of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says the waterway remains closed until further notice, while the United States insists shipping is continuing and that American forces are ensuring freedom of navigation.