The Iranian Ministry of Health announced on Thursday that at least 14 people were killed and 78 others injured as a result of US airstrikes over the past two days. Hossein Kermanpour, head of the ministry's public relations center, stated in a post on the "X" platform that the American attacks targeted five Iranian provinces on Wednesday and Thursday despite an ongoing ceasefire, noting that 47 of the injured remain hospitalized for treatment.
This military escalation followed attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. While Tehran did not claim responsibility for the ship incidents, Washington held Iran accountable and framed its airstrikes as a direct response. US President Donald Trump confirmed on his "Truth Social" platform that the bombing was retaliatory, warning that if it happened again, the situation would get much worse.
In statements to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump described the US response as disproportionately heavy. at a "20 to 1" ratio compared to the attacks on commercial shipping. He also declared that the temporary agreement to end the war with Iran was "over," casting doubt on the viability of any future understandings, while adding that the Iranians had reached out to Washington seeking a deal after being hit very hard.
The rapidly escalating security crisis triggered immediate economic repercussions, driving oil prices up by more than a dollar per barrel in post-settlement trading. This surge reflects growing international anxiety over potential disruptions to maritime safety and energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, which is widely recognized as one of the world's most critical chokepoints for global oil transit.
