New US attack on Iran, experts fear prolonged conflict

❐ International Desk

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The US military has launched fresh airstrikes on Iran, hours after US President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran “over” at a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. Multiple explosions have been reported in several cities in southern Iran.

Iran’s state news agency Mehr reported that explosions were heard in Sirik and Bandar Abbas, known as naval bases, and that air defense systems were activated in Bandar Abbas.

Explosions were also reported in Chabahar, Bushehr and Abu Musa Island. Iranian media also reported that power was cut off in Chabahar and a hospital was hit by an attack.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the strikes were ordered by President Trump, saying they were in response to Iran’s “unprovoked aggression” against commercial vessels and civilian sailors in recent days.

A US official told Reuters that this attack will be larger and more widespread than the previous one.

A reporter for the US media outlet Axios said that the targets of the attack included coastal radars, anti-ship missile positions and air defense systems of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

Earlier, sitting next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a NATO summit, Trump said, “This could be a major attack and a lot of destruction… We’re going to hit hard tonight.”

However, he said that installations such as bridges, power plants or desalination plants would not be hit “unless necessary.”

He also called Iran “dirty” and “run by sick people.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi responded to the attack by saying his country would “respond with action – fearlessly and courageously.”

Iran’s state-run Noornews reported that Iran was preparing to launch a “massive” attack on US military bases in the Middle East, but claimed that the Bushehr nuclear power plant was not damaged in the attack.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Parker, a maritime security expert at the Australian National University, said the conflict could become protracted, although she did not think it would escalate into a full-scale war like the one in March-April.

In his words, it will be a cycle of tit-for-tat retaliation followed by pauses, occasional attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, and renegotiations.

He said that shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has decreased significantly compared to before (from 130 daily), which will put pressure on the global economy.

According to Parker, Iran sees control of the Strait of Hormuz as its main diplomatic tool, and this will be a major complication in future negotiations between the two countries.

US Senator Bernie Sanders strongly criticized Trump’s decision, saying that starting a new war with Iran would not strengthen the United States, but would lead to more deaths and a waste of taxpayer money.

Meanwhile, Israeli broadcaster Kan reported that the United States has begun to withdraw refueling aircraft from the Middle East, which could indicate Israeli involvement in future attacks on Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also reportedly meeting with Defense Minister Israel Katz to discuss renewed involvement in the conflict.