Washington/Tehran, 16 July 2026

The US military launched a second wave of attacks against Iran on Wednesday, while President Donald Trump simultaneously attested to the leadership in Tehran's willingness to negotiate and threatened to escalate the attacks further.

Two attack waves within 24 hours

US Central Command (Centcom), responsible for the region, stated on Wednesday that the second round of strikes of the day had begun at 3:00 p.m. US Eastern Time (9:00 p.m. German time). This means that the US forces flew two separate waves within a single day, in which, according to their own statements, numerous targets in Iran were struck. A 90-minute attack wave had previously already been reported as completed.

According to Iranian health authorities, more than 260 people have been injured by US attacks since the latest escalation. This figure could not initially be independently verified. Reports of fatalities did not emerge from the available information, though Iranian officials pointed out that the attacks had struck civilian infrastructure. The regime in Tehran spoke of an "existential war" and announced retaliation.

Trump's threats between offer to negotiate and ultimatum

Parallel to the attacks, Trump increased the verbal pressure. When asked by a journalist whether he was giving Iran an ultimatum before bombing attacks on bridges would begin, Trump said: "I don't like to set deadlines." The day before, he had announced on Fox News that next week all power plants and bridges would be destroyed, "unless they (the Iranians) come to the negotiating table and negotiate."

Trump justified the threats with his assessment that Iran wanted a deal. "They don't like what we're doing, and they actually want to settle the matter," he wrote on the platform Truth Social. At the same time, he kept the option of further escalation open: "We'll see if we make a deal with them or if we just finish the thing off."

The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials, that Trump was leaning toward expanding the military operation but had not yet made a final decision on the next steps. According to the report, possible options include expanding the airstrikes, deploying ground troops to capture Iranian islands near the Strait of Hormuz, and bombing an Iranian nuclear facility known as "Pickaxe Mountain."

Possible next steps according to the Wall Street Journal

At the same time, Trump acknowledged a gesture from Iran: a US citizen who had been imprisoned at the end of 2024 had been allowed to leave the country and was safe. "The United States of America appreciates this gesture of goodwill on the part of Iran!" he declared. He did not provide details about the woman.

From Iran's perspective, according to chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, there is no reason to adhere to the memorandum of understanding negotiated with the US in mid-June if Iran does not benefit from it. Should hostilities be resumed in full, there would be "catastrophic consequences," he warned.

Impact on Kuwait and the Persian Gulf

The effects of the conflict have now extended beyond Iran. In Kuwait, the armed forces said they intercepted four cruise missiles and 21 drones on Wednesday that had entered the country's airspace. The Persian Gulf region is thus directly drawn into the confrontations.

The US side also tightened its naval blockade against Iran. Within the first 24 hours, the US Navy redirected two merchant ships that had attempted to break through the blockade. During an earlier phase of the naval blockade, the US military said it had redirected more than 140 ships and disabled nine ships whose crews were unwilling to cooperate.

From Israel, it was meanwhile reported that the army had blown up houses in southern Lebanon. Israeli and Lebanese negotiators also reported progress in talks on a possible resolution of the conflict on Israel's northern border. Whether this progress is related to the broader regional escalation remained unclear.

Sanctions and UN response

The US government tightened sanctions against Tehran with a further step: Washington imposed punitive measures against a network that, according to US officials, Iran uses to procure weapons. This is intended to further disrupt the country's military and defense-industrial supply.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was "deeply concerned" by the ongoing military escalation in the region. He called on all parties to de-escalate and respect international law. No concrete steps by the United Nations were initially announced.

Domestic political mood in Iran

Inside Iran, the leadership is tightening its domestic political course. In Tehran, a propaganda poster depicting Trump in a coffin was displayed. Politicians called on the population to be prepared for a war lasting years. Another execution following the protests in Iran was also reported.

The overall situation in the region thus remains highly unstable. Closely timed attacks, threats, and blockaded ships characterize an escalation that, according to observers, has long been no longer confined to Iran. "The war is regaining momentum and has long since engulfed the entire region," consistent analyses state.

In the coming days, the US government is expected to decide on expanding the airstrikes or deploying ground troops. At the same time, the naval blockade against Iran continues. Whether the ongoing diplomatic channels – including talks between Israel and Lebanon – can calm the situation remains unclear for now.