The US military carried out fresh overnight strikes inside Iran on Thursday, 29 May 2025, targeting a military site that Washington said posed a direct threat to American forces and commercial vessels operating in the region, according to multiple US media reports. The strikes come even as officials insisted the US-Iran ceasefire remains technically in effect.

Key Developments

US forces also intercepted drones launched from Iranian territory, according to reports citing a US official. The strikes were characterised as defensive in nature, with the official maintaining that the ceasefire framework had not been abandoned.

Separately, three explosions were reported east of the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas on the Strait of Hormuz at approximately 1:30 am local time Thursday (2200 GMT Wednesday), according to the Iranian news agency Fars. Iranian air defences were activated, and authorities said they were working to determine the origin of the blasts.

What Trump Said at the Cabinet Meeting

Speaking during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said he would not allow midterm political pressures to dictate his negotiating posture with Tehran. He said Iran had miscalculated by expecting domestic political constraints to weaken Washington's position.

'They thought they were going to outwait me,' Trump said. 'I don't care about the midterms.'

Trump also signalled that the US remains dissatisfied with the current terms under negotiation and has not ruled out resuming full military action. 'We're not satisfied with it, but we will be,' he said. 'Either that or we'll have to just finish the job.'

On Iran's willingness to negotiate, Trump added: 'They want to just make a deal. I don't think they have a choice.'

Sanctions Relief and Uranium Stockpile

In a brief phone interview with PBS News during the same cabinet session, Trump flatly rejected the idea of offering Iran sanctions relief in exchange for surrendering its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

'No, no, not at all. Not sanctions relief, no,' Trump said. 'They're gonna give up their highly enriched uranium not for sanctions relief. No, no, not at all,' he added, closing off what had been a key point of speculation in diplomatic circles.

White House Denies Iranian Draft Deal Report

Earlier on Wednesday, the White House denied an Iranian media report that described a draft framework — an initial, unofficial memorandum of understanding — as 'a complete fabrication.' The Iranian state broadcaster IRIB TV had reported that the draft included a withdrawal of US forces from areas near Iran and the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, claims Washington rejected outright.

What Happens Next

The strikes and Trump's remarks mark a significant escalation in rhetoric even as both sides nominally maintain a ceasefire. The Strait of Hormuz, through which a substantial share of global oil shipments pass, remains a flashpoint. Diplomatic negotiations are ongoing, but the gap between the two sides' stated positions — particularly on sanctions and uranium — suggests a durable agreement remains elusive. The international community will be watching closely whether the ceasefire holds through the next round of talks.