DistantNews
Support us
🇶🇦 Qatar /Conflict & Security

US mounts sixth straight night of attacks as Iran warns of wider war

From Al Jazeera · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The US has conducted a sixth consecutive night of attacks against Iran, targeting infrastructure in the country's south.
  • Iranian media reported strikes on an airport, a communications tower, and a bridge, with power outages occurring in affected areas.
  • Tensions remain high as Iran warns of wider conflict, while the US states it remains open to diplomacy.

The United States carried out its sixth consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran on Thursday, targeting infrastructure in the southern part of the country, according to Iranian media reports. The US military confirmed initiating the latest round of attacks at 18:00 GMT.

Explosions were reported across several locations, including Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, Iranshahr, and Bandar-e Khamir. Iran's Tasnim news agency stated that a US missile strike hit an airport in Iranshahr, while another "enemy" attack damaged a communications tower in Bandar Abbas, leading to power disruptions. Fars news agency reported a suspected US strike on a bridge in Bandar-e Khamir.

Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia warned Iran’s attacks “will spread to new areas” if the US attacks against it carry on.

— Mohammad AkraminiaWarning of potential escalation of Iranian retaliatory actions.

These attacks follow recent threats by US President Donald Trump to target Iranian infrastructure if the country did not return to negotiations. The escalating hostilities have put an interim US-Iran deal, signed last month, in peril, with both sides accusing each other of violating the memorandum of understanding.

They [Iranian officials] have expressed they still want to make a deal to the president. We’re talking to them, but again, the president is not going to allow them to fire on ships in the strait without paying a consequence for that.

— Karoline LeavittDescribing the US stance on diplomacy and accountability amidst escalating tensions.

Earlier on Thursday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for an attack on an airbase used by US forces in Bahrain, framing it as retaliation for a "barbaric" US attack that necessitated the evacuation of a children's cancer hospital in Ahvaz. The IRGC also claimed further attacks on Kuwait and Jordan, with Kuwait's army reporting that 32 Iranian drones targeted vital facilities.

Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia warned that Iran's attacks "will spread to new areas" if US attacks continue. Meanwhile, Gulf states are reportedly strengthening their air defenses and military preparedness amid "this time of uncertainty." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump would hold Iran accountable but remains "always open to diplomacy." However, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated on Wednesday that Tehran has no plans for talks with the US and is focused on national defense. An analyst suggested both nations are attempting to compel the other to concede.

The US side

— Sina AzodiDescribing the strategic maneuvering between the US and Iran.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Al Jazeera. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog