US Launches New Strikes on Iran; Tehran Claims Retaliation Against US Bases

The United States military announced it carried out a new series of strikes against Iran late Wednesday, targeting key military infrastructure. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated the operation aimed to degrade Iran's ability to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The strikes, which concluded around 9 p.m. ET, focused on Bandar Abbas, a vital Iranian naval hub, as well as air defense sites and missile capabilities on Greater Tunb island. Iranian air defenses reportedly activated over Tehran, and explosions were heard in several southern and inland cities, including Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Sirik, Chabahar, Konarak, Rask, Khondab, Khorramabad, and Semnan.

CENTCOM reported targeting "Iranian command centres, air defence sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities." In the northern city of Semnan, a civilian airport sustained minor damage, and a storage facility was hit. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also claimed to have intercepted a U.S. MQ-9 drone over Andimeshk in southwestern Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran asserted that it launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks against U.S. military assets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. State media reported that Iranian missiles struck Patriot missile batteries and fuel tanks at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. Kuwaiti authorities confirmed intercepting multiple cruise missiles and drones launched from Iran.

Iranian Ministry of Health figures indicate that the recent escalation of conflict has led to at least 35 deaths and over 300 injuries.