The United States continues military strikes on Iran for a third night, with US officials saying the operations aim to weaken Iranian forces and help protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The US military states the strikes are intended to reduce Iran’s ability to attack civilian targets and vessels passing through the strait. In parallel, US President Donald Trump says a deal with Iran is still “possible,” while also calling on Gulf nations to reimburse the United States for its role in helping protect the Strait of Hormuz. Reporting across outlets also includes Iranian and regional statements. Iran’s foreign minister declares that Iran will be the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz “forever,” indicating a continued Iranian willingness to assert responsibility for security in the waterway. The US Central Command frames the strikes as imposing “a heavy cost” on Iranian forces and degrading their capacity to carry out attacks. While the conflict escalates through continued strikes, US leadership simultaneously signals openness to negotiations, though no specific agreement is announced in the reports.