US launches new attacks on Iran as Tehran targets Gulf sites

The United States military has conducted another wave of strikes against Iran as Tehran claims retaliatory missile and drone attacks on US military assets across the Gulf region. US Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, announced it concluded an evening wave of strikes on Wednesday at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, targeting Iranian command centres, air defence installations, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities. The operation aimed to reduce Iran's capacity to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The 90-minute operation targeted Bandar Abbas, a key Iranian naval hub overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, as well as coastal defence and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb Island, one of three islands near the waterway's entrance. Iranian air defences were activated over Tehran as state media reported attacks across much of the country. Explosions were documented in Bandar Abbas and nearby Qeshm Island in the south, as well as in southeastern coastal towns including Sirik, Chabahar, and Konarak. Iranian media also reported strikes further inland in Rask, Khondab, Khorramabad, and Semnan. Iranian authorities stated there were no casualties in Pakdasht or at the Parchin military complex near Tehran, while the IRIB reported no deaths or injuries in Semnan following an attack on the civilian airport's main building.

In southwestern Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have intercepted and shot down a US MQ-9 drone over Andimeshk in Khuzestan province. Iran's Ministry of Health reported that at least 35 people have been killed and more than 300 injured since the latest round of fighting commenced last week.

Iran stated it carried out retaliatory missile and drone attacks against US military facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. The Iranian army claimed it targeted US radar and air defence systems in Kuwait and Bahrain, with missiles striking Patriot missile batteries and fuel tanks at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. Kuwait announced it had intercepted four cruise missiles and 21 drones launched from Iran between Wednesday and early Thursday. The Iranian army also claimed drones targeted communications equipment, Super Hawk radar systems, and Patriot air defence installations at Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain. The Iranian military additionally claimed missile and drone attacks on US facilities in Jordan.