Iran says 14 killed in U.S. strikes; nuclear plant area hit

Iran claims that at least 14 people have died in U.S. airstrikes conducted over the last two days. These strikes are part of an escalating series of retaliatory attacks, initially sparked by Iranian assaults on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian state news agency IRNA reported that a U.S. projectile struck the perimeter area of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on Thursday.

“

The perimeter area of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant was hit by a U.S. projectile on Thursday.

Ehsan Jahangirian, a deputy governor of Bushehr Province, told IRNA that continuing U.S. attacks had impacted several locations within the province. These included the vicinity of the nuclear plant, the Choghaddak military base, and a fishing pier in the southern part of the coastal province. While no casualties were reported from the strikes in the immediate area of the plant, Iran's health ministry had previously stated that a total of 14 individuals were killed across southern Iran over the two-day period.

“

Continuing U.S. attacks had hit several locations in Bushehr Province, including the area surrounding the nuclear plant, the Choghaddak military base and a fishing pier in the south of the coastal province.

Jahangirian further specified that the Benoud fishing pier in Asaluyeh was targeted, leading to fishing boats owned by local residents catching fire. Emergency response teams were dispatched to the affected sites to assess damage and secure the areas. President Trump has indicated that U.S. strikes are intended to target small boats used by Iranian forces for laying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. military's Central Command stated that recent attacks had hit approximately 90 Iranian targets, including air defenses, drone and missile storage facilities, naval assets, and coastal logistics infrastructure.

“

No casualties had been reported so far from the strikes in the area, but Iran's health ministry earlier said a total of 14 people had been killed in two days of U.S. strikes across the south of the country.