India, July 16 -- The conflict between the United States and Iran intensified further on Wednesday as the US military launched a second wave of airstrikes against Iranian military targets linked to the Strait of Hormuz,

The US resumed its naval blockade on Iran and launched two waves of air strikes. Iran reported explosions in southern cities and warned of retaliation against US bases.

The US said it had launched a fresh wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday as President Donald Trump warned Tehran it "better behave". The US military said "Iranian military capabilities used to threaten vessels" moving through the Strait of Hormuz had been targeted.

The United States has intensified its strikes targeting Iran, hitting targets further north. American forces also fired into a ship it accused of trying to break its naval blockade on the Islamic Republic.

The U.S. conducted a new wave of strikes against Iranian military sites on Wednesday after reimposing a naval blockade of the Islamic Republic's ports.

“The conflict between the United States and Iran has entered a new phase,” retired U.S. Vice Admiral Robert Murrett told Newsweek.

The U.S. has reimposed a naval blockade on Iran and intensified its airstrike campaign in retaliation for Tehran’s attacks on ships trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Central Command said it completed a five-hour mission of strikes against Iranian targets as service members are gearing up to reimpose a naval blockade Tuesday.