Explosions reported in Iran after U.S. announces retaliatory strikes

Iranian media outlets reported a series of explosions across the country on Sunday, shortly after the United States announced it was launching a new round of attacks against Iran. These actions represent a significant escalation following Iran's earlier attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. Central Command (Centcom) confirmed that Iran had targeted a Cyprus-flagged container ship, resulting in a fire and damage to its engine room. One crew member is reported missing. Centcom stated the U.S. strikes were intended to "degrade Iran's capability" to attack maritime traffic in the vital waterway.

In response to the escalating situation, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed "until further notice." This closure, combined with the retaliatory strikes and the earlier attack on the container ship, signals a dangerous increase in tensions between the two nations in a critical global shipping lane. Details regarding casualties or damage from the reported explosions in Iran remain unclear.