US Strikes Iran Again, Hits Area Near Cancer Hospital
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The U.S. military launched a second wave of attacks on Iranian territory, including an area near a cancer hospital in Ahvaz.
- U.S. Central Command stated the strikes targeted Iranian military facilities used to threaten international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran's president vowed to defend the country's territory amidst the escalating conflict.
The U.S. military conducted a second series of strikes across Iran on Wednesday night, hitting areas including the vicinity of a cancer hospital in Ahvaz. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) asserted that the operations targeted Iranian military capabilities that threaten international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global trade route.
The operation targeted Iranian military facilities used to threaten ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic shipping lane that is one of the arteries of global trade.
Iranian media reported explosions in several southern coastal cities, with Mehr News Agency noting sounds in Ahvaz, a city repeatedly targeted by U.S. strikes this month. Bandar Abbas, Iran's primary port, also experienced explosions. In Sistan and Baluchestan province, air attacks reportedly struck cities like Chabahar, Konarak, and Rasak. In Chabahar, at least three explosions were heard, with Iranian media previously reporting a U.S. missile strike on a maritime surveillance tower used for shipping security and fisherman rescue operations.
The area surrounding Baqaei Hospital in Ahvaz was affected by the missile strikes. Hossein Kermanpour, head of the Iranian Ministry of Health's Public Relations and Information Center, stated that the hospital's patients, including children and their families, panicked and evacuated after the loud explosions and strong vibrations. Health authorities subsequently began evacuating the hospital.
The shockwaves from the explosion caused panic in the hospital.
CENTCOM also claimed to have disabled an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. military stated that the Curacao-flagged vessel, M/T Belma, was attempting to sail towards Kharg Island, a major Iranian oil export terminal, despite repeated warnings. A U.S. fighter jet reportedly fired a Hellfire missile at the ship's smokestack, rendering it unable to continue its journey. The U.S. military described this action as part of enforcing a naval blockade against Iran.
The U.S. military stated that the action was part of enforcing a naval blockade against Iran.
Amidst the escalating attacks, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asserted that his country would defend every inch of its territory, stating that attempts to divide Iran would fail. These remarks were made during a ceremony honoring a deceased figure.
Our country will defend every inch of its territory. Efforts to divide Iran will not succeed.
Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.