US strikes dozens of targets in Iran amid escalating Middle East conflict

The United States launched fresh strikes against Iran early Thursday, hitting dozens of Iranian military command centers, missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance sites. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated the strikes were a "powerful response" to Iran's attempted attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East. This escalation intensifies a five-month-old conflict that has already expanded beyond its primary fronts.

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The strikes are a powerful response to yesterday's attempted Iranian attacks on US forces based in the Middle East.

CENTCOM reported that over 50,000 U.S. service members are deployed in the Middle East and remain on high alert. The strikes followed President Donald Trump's earlier promise to retaliate forcefully against Iran. Tensions have been mounting after Iran fired missiles at three ships in the Strait of Hormuz and launched a surprise attack on American troops in Jordan, which resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members this month.

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More than 50,000 US service members are currently deployed to the Middle East and remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready.

Adding to the regional instability, U.S. and Saudi forces conducted strikes against Iran-aligned groups in eastern Iraq in retaliation for drone attacks on Saudi oil targets. Simultaneously, two ships, including a U.S.-owned gas tanker, caught fire after an explosion at Egypt's Mediterranean port of Damietta, which maritime security firm Ambrey suggested was likely a drone attack. These actions threaten to draw more Middle Eastern countries into the conflict, following the Iran-aligned Houthis' declaration of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia last week.

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it was 'our turn' after a series of escalating exchanges between Washington and Tehran