U.S., Iran exchange attacks; Trump calls peace talks waste of time

The United States launched fresh strikes against Iran Wednesday evening, according to a statement by U.S. Central Command. The strikes were ordered by President Donald Trump and were focused on degrading Iran's ability to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, according to the statement. 

What was hit? U.S. Central Command did not elaborate on what specific targets were struck. Iranian state-run Press TV reported attacks in the southeastern port city of Chabahar. Electrical infrastructure, port facilities, and a hospital were damaged, according to the report.

How did we get here? All of this came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he considered the memorandum of understanding with Iran to be over, after the U.S. struck more than 80 Iranian targets Tuesday night. Those U.S. strikes were a response to Iran’s attacks hours earlier on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. Central Command. American forces targeted Iranian air defense systems and military sites along with over 60 small military boats in and near the strait, according to U.S. Central Command.

Trump also directed the Treasury Department to revoke its license authorizing Iranian oil sales, just weeks after granting the license as a major concession in peace talks. He said Wednesday that he was willing for talks with Iran to continue, but that U.S. negotiators were wasting their time. He characterized Iranian negotiators as liars and “scum” and said the U.S. was focused on the total denuclearization of Iran.

Trump’s statements came as Iran on Wednesday said it launched a fresh wave of attacks on 85 U.S. military sites, including in Bahrain and Kuwait. The U.S. strikes violated the ceasefire and the memorandum of understanding, Iranian leaders said, according to state-run news source Fars.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report on Iran’s funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Khamenei.