US, Iran trade fire around Strait of Hormuz for third straight night

The U.S. and Iran engaged in a third consecutive night of strikes around the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, with U.S. Central Command announcing continued operations to degrade Iran's ability to attack shipping. President Trump stated, "We're going to hit them very hard tonight and we're going to hit them hard tomorrow." Iranian state media reported explosions in various southern coastal areas and islands. The UAE Ministry of Defense reported two tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles in Omani waters, resulting in one fatality and eight injuries. Trump also threatened to strike "Pickaxe Mountain," a heavily fortified Iranian nuclear site near Natanz, stating, "We’re going to take out Pickaxe Mountain. Tell the Iranians to be ready." He also announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iranian shipping in the Gulf.