Who launched the latest airstrikes against Iran? Right now it's a mystery

Questions linger over who launched a series of airstrikes that targeted Iran on Thursday, particularly as the United States confirmed it had completed its own offensive operations. The attacks struck various locations across southern Iran, occurring just as the country was preparing for the funeral of its late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the strikes. Iran's theocratic government has refrained from directly accusing any specific entity. However, one Iranian lawmaker reportedly issued a warning to the United Arab Emirates, alleging its support for the U.S. campaign against Iran. Gulf Arab states, which have frequently been targets of Iranian actions since the conflict began on February 28, have not yet issued public statements regarding the recent strikes.

The attacks come at a critical time when Gulf nations and the U.S. are emphasizing the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy markets, open to international shipping. Iran, however, asserts its sole control over the strait and proposes that vessels should pay fees to Tehran, despite decades of international recognition of the waterway as global.

The U.S. military's Central Command stated that it had concluded a round of strikes hitting 90 targets around 6:30 a.m. local Iran time on Thursday. Shortly thereafter, Iranian media reported additional airstrikes and explosions in provinces including Bushehr and Sistan and Baluchestan, as well as cities like Ahvaz and Chabahar. Central Command has not provided further comment on these subsequent strikes. In response, Iran launched retaliatory attacks across the Middle East, targeting Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Qatar, prompting air defense systems to activate and causing at least one reported injury in Kuwait.

“

no operational updates