The Times of Israel is liveblogging Thursday’s events as they unfold.

CENTCOM confirms US launching fresh ‘self-defense strikes’ on ‘multiple targets’ in Iran

US Central Command confirms it has launched fresh “self-defense strikes” on “multiple targets in Iran at the direction” of President Donald Trump, who announced earlier that the United States would attack the Islamic Republic for a second night in a row.

“The strikes are in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression,” says CENTCOM.

Iranian media reports explosions around Hormuz, says air defenses activated in Tehran

Iranian media reports the sound of explosions in several areas across the country, including around the Strait of Hormuz and in western Tehran, where the Mehr news agency says air defenses have been activated.

Hegseth declares US will bomb ‘key facilities’ in Iran, says strikes part of efforts to reach nuclear deal

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the United States will hit Iran hard and bomb “key facilities.”

“President Trump said we’ll be hitting Iran hard, and we will be because Iran has a chance to make a good deal,” Hegseth tells journalists at US Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida. “You can see when someone is trying to tap, tap, tap on a deal. Instead, they’re going to have tap, tap, tap bombs dropping on key facilities in........

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