Pakistan, July 20 -- President Donald Trump said US forces struck Iran "very hard" in overnight attacks conducted in honor of three American service members killed recently. The latest operation marked the ninth consecutive night of US strikes. Regional tensions continued to escalate across the Middle East.

US Central Command said the strikes targeted Iranian military sites and communications networks. According to the US military, the operation aimed to reduce Tehran's ability to attack vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Explosions were reported in several Iranian cities.

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Trump said the strikes honored two US soldiers killed in Jordan and one service member killed ...