Middle East Live: US Conducts New Strikes Against Iran, Which Retaliates by Targeting US Bases

The United States confirmed on Wednesday evening that it had resumed strikes against Iran, targeting various sites across the country. According to the U.S. Central Command (Centcom), these defensive strikes hit military surveillance facilities, communication systems, and air defense sites.

“

The U.S. forces conducted further defensive strikes against several targets in Iran, under the direction of the Commander in Chief.

Explosions were reported on Qeshm Island and in Minab, Sirik, and the port of Bandar Abbas, according to Iranian media. These actions follow U.S. strikes on Tuesday night against targets in southern Iran, which were a response to an Iranian drone destroying a U.S. helicopter.

In retaliation, Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced on Thursday that it had struck U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. The Guard claimed that eighteen significant U.S. military targets were hit across the Ali al-Salem and Ahmad al-Jaber bases in Kuwait, and the Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain. Iranian state media had previously reported an attack on the U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.

“

Over two waves of operations, eighteen significant targets belonging to the U.S. military were hit.

Iranian agencies Fars and Mehr reported that the attacks on Bahrain involved drones targeting communication antennas and Patriot missile defense system radars. Bahrain's Interior Ministry simultaneously reported that sirens sounded in the country. The U.S. military, however, denied Iranian claims that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed, stating that commercial vessels continued to transit the waterway.

“

Commercial vessels continue to transit the Strait of Hormuz tonight.