US 'completes' new round of 'self-defense' strikes on Iran: CENTCOM

by JESSICA A. BOTELHO and MINA ALLEN | The National News Desk

Wed, June 10, 2026 at 5:50 PM

Updated Thu, June 11, 2026 at 12:06 PM

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: U.S. President Donald Trump watches the start of Game 3 of the NBA Finals between New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on June 8, 2026 in New York City. Fans attending the game expressed frustration at the heightened security measures put in place for the president’s attendance. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

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The U.S. forces launched a new round of "self-defense strikes" against multiple targets in Iran on Wednesday evening, according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

"The strikes are in response to Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression," CENTCOM announced on X. "U.S. forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready.

CENTCOM said the strikes began at approximately 5:15 p.m. ET and were carried out at the direction of President Donald Trump. Around 9.m, CENTCOM added that the strikes were complete.

The operation followed earlier U.S. military action against Iranian targets after the downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz a few days ago.

The strikes also came after Trump threatened more attacks.

“We’re going to be attacking them, attacking them very hard,” Trump said on Wednesday morning. “We hit them hard yesterday. We’re going to hit them hard again today.”

It marked the latest escalation in a conflict that has seen repeated exchanges between U.S. and Iranian forces despite ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions.

"Central Command will be busy tonight because President Trump said we will be hitting Iran HARD -- AND WE WILL BE," Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth said ahead of the attack. "They’ve been 'tap, tap, tapping; on the deal. INSTEAD, they’re gonna have tap, tap, tap BOMBS dropping on key facilities in Iran from the United States of America."

Amid the developments, the U.S. Embassy Baghdad urged Americans in Iraq to maintain "the highest levels of vigilance and awareness," citing possible sudden travel disruptions or airspace closures.