US launches second day of strikes on Iran as Trump declares ceasefire agreement 'over'

The United States launched a second day of airstrikes against Iran on July 8, 2026, targeting key coastal cities and infrastructure. President Donald Trump declared the mid-June interim ceasefire agreement 'over' following Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and retaliatory strikes on US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. The escalation has caused at least nine Iranian deaths, disrupted global oil markets, and prompted Trump to threaten a total naval blockade and the seizure of Kharg Island.

US strikes on Iran

• ▪The United States military conducted its first round of strikes on July 7, 2026, hitting over 80 targets with precision munitions over approximately four hours.
• ▪The United States Central Command stated the strikes aimed to degrade Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
• ▪The United States military conducted a second consecutive day of airstrikes against Iran on July 8, 2026.

Ceasefire agreement collapse

• ▪Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched retaliatory rocket and drone attacks against United States military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait.
• ▪President Donald Trump declared on July 8, 2026, that the interim ceasefire agreement signed with Iran in mid-June 2026 was over.
• ▪The United States Treasury revoked a temporary sanctions waiver that had allowed Tehran to export oil following the July 7, 2026, maritime attacks.
• ▪The interim memorandum of understanding signed on June 17, 2026, ended active fighting, lifted the United States naval blockade, and opened the Strait of Hormuz.

Strait of Hormuz dispute

• ▪Iran interpreted the memorandum of understanding as granting it sole responsibility to determine and manage transit arrangements through the Strait of Hormuz.
• ▪The United States maintains that the memorandum of understanding requires unfettered passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
• ▪The fifth clause of the memorandum of understanding requires Iran to make arrangements for the safe, free passage of commercial vessels for 60 days.

Iranian casualties from attacks

• ▪An airstrike on the Iranshahr airport in southeastern Iran on July 8, 2026, killed one Iranian fireman.
• ▪The Iranian army reported that eight air force and navy service personnel were killed in the July 7, 2026, United States strikes.

Targeted Iranian locations

• ▪Iranian state media reported that the strikes on Bushehr province did not cause damage to the Bushehr nuclear power plant.
• ▪The July 8, 2026, United States strikes targeted Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Iranshahr, Konarak, Chabahar, Aq Qala, Sirik, and Abu Musa Island.

Trump administration threats

• ▪President Donald Trump threatened that the United States could reinstate its naval blockade on Iran and target its electricity and water plants.
• ▪President Donald Trump suggested that United States military forces may take over Iran's oil-exporting hub on Kharg Island.

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