US strikes kill 17 in Iran, raising regional tensions

The death toll from U.S. airstrikes on six Iranian cities has risen to 17, with 115 people injured, according to Iran's Ministry of Health. The ministry's spokesperson, Hosein Kermanpour, updated the figures on Friday, an increase from the previous day's report of 14 dead and 78 wounded. Kermanpour noted that 14 surgeries had been performed and 102 individuals had been discharged after treatment.

The U.S. Central Command (Centcom) confirmed it had bombed approximately 90 Iranian military targets, including air defense systems, missile depots, and naval infrastructure. Washington justified the strikes as a response to Iran's attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The offensive occurred despite an existing ceasefire that began on June 17.

Iran's permanent representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, urged the Security Council to halt the U.S. offensive. He warned that Tehran might cease complying with a June memorandum of understanding if Washington continues to violate its obligations. Iravani asserted that responsibility for the Strait of Hormuz rests "exclusively" with Iran and called for "effective and decisive measures to stop the illegal act of aggression by the U.S."