The U.S. military struck Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, a U.S. official said.

Why it matters: This was the second day in a row that the U.S. attacked Iranian targets in what U.S. officials say is an effort to stop Tehran from striking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

What’s happening: The U.S. military launched cruise missiles at two railway bridges in northeastern Iran as part of Wednesday’s strikes, a U.S. official told Axios.

• This marked the first time the U.S. had struck Iranian infrastructure since the April 8 ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the Kuwait army said Wednesday evening on X that its air defenses were “confronting hostile missile and drone attacks,” while Bahrain’s Interior Ministry reported air raid sirens sounding in the kingdom.

What they’re saying: President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that Iranian officials “called a little while ago. They want to make a deal.”

• Trump said Wednesday’s strikes on Iran were in response to Iranian attacks on commercial ships.
• “We hit them pretty hard. When they hit, we hit back much harder,” he said.
• Trump said Wednesday evening on Truth Social that if Tehran strikes commercial ships again, the response “will get much worse!”

State of play: Iranian state media reported that the strikes took place in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Chabahar, Lavan Island and other areas along Iran’s southern coast near the strait.

• The U.S. official said Wednesday’s strikes were wider in scope than Tuesday’s strikes.
• Targets included Iranian military coastal radars, anti-ship missile positions and air defense systems.

U.S. Central Command said in a statement Wednesday evening that its forces were “conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”

• The statement added: “The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway.”

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.