US bombs Iran's aircraft hangars and drone storage sites as it 'finishes' 11th night of strikes

The US military carried out a barrage of strikes on Iran early Wednesday, marking the 11th consecutive night of attacks, while diplomatic efforts in Pakistan to revive a collapsed interim ceasefire remained overshadowed by the escalating conflict in West Asia. The latest military action came as President Donald Trump indicated that the US campaign would intensify and fighting would increasingly centre on control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.

US Central Command (Centcom) said, "The strikes are designed to continue degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz."

Centcom said its forces struck military targets across Iran, targeting military operations centres, aircraft hangars and drone storage sites.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump dismissed the prospect of renewed negotiations, saying the US had "no interest in meeting". He also indicated that US forces could soon strike an area near one of Iran's main uranium enrichment sites.

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Pakistan continues diplomatic outreach

Ahead of the latest attacks, Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni travelled to Pakistan, which has played a key mediating role in the conflict in an effort to restore diplomacy.

However, it remained unclear what form any renewed agreement might take as negotiations stalled and the dispute increasingly focused on control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Both sides have increasingly targeted civilian infrastructure across the region as they seek greater leverage, while commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted.

Despite repeated US strikes, Iran has maintained its control over the strategic waterway, through which about one-fifth of the world's crude oil and natural gas moved before the war.

On Tuesday, the US continued its air campaign against Iran, while Iran attacked a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel. Iran also continued attacks against US allies in the region, with sirens sounding in Bahrain and Kuwait to warn residents of incoming projectiles.

The continued escalation pushed energy prices higher, with the international benchmark for crude oil trading above $91 a barrel on Tuesday. Average regular petrol prices in the US also rose to $4 a gallon.

US casualties continue to rise

As the conflict continues, domestic opposition has grown in the US ahead of the autumn midterm elections, with higher fuel prices and mounting casualties weighing on public opinion.

A US official told The Associated Press that the number of wounded US personnel in the Iran conflict has risen to well over 500 troops, exceeding the Pentagon's official Defence Casualty Analysis System figure of 482 wounded.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the reporting system has a significant delay in recording injuries and added that the lag was due to its design rather than intentional.