The United States has launched fresh strikes against Iran, marking the third consecutive night of attacks.

US Central Command said the latest strikes began at 20:45 GMT on Monday.

CENTCOM said the attacks were aimed at imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and weakening their ability to attack civilians and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump had earlier warned that more strikes were coming.

“We’re going to hit them very hard tonight, and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow,” Trump told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt.

Oil prices jump sharply

Oil prices rose by more than nine percent as fears grew over renewed conflict in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

Early on Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates said Iran had attacked two ships in the waterway.

The UAE defence ministry said the national tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah were hit by two Iranian cruise missiles while moving through the southern shipping lane.

According to the UAE, one crew member was killed and eight others were wounded.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also announced new strikes on Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Oman on Monday.

Trump says deal still possible

Despite the rising attacks, Trump said a deal with Tehran remained possible.

“Yeah, I think a deal is possible. Sure, I do,” he told reporters in the Oval Office.

He said the US had a deal with Iran two days earlier, but claimed Tehran wanted further negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the June memorandum of understanding that formed the basis for talks was “in crisis”.

He said Iran would ignore its obligations if Washington did the same.

US notifies Congress

The White House confirmed to AFP that Trump formally notified Congress last week that the US had resumed military conflict against Iran.

The move gives the Pentagon another 60 days to operate in the region without congressional approval.

Trump also threatened to destroy Pickaxe Mountain, a deeply buried nuclear site near Natanz.

CENTCOM said it would reimpose a blockade on Iranian ports from Tuesday evening.

Trump also said the US would levy a 20% fee on cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi mocked the toll plan, saying Tehran would charge less.