US strikes Iran, tanker, as Tehran hits Kuwait, Jordan: What’s the latest
The US military has conducted strikes on Iranian military sites, including locations near Tehran for the first time in the latest escalation cycle, targeting command centres and air defence capabilities. Iran's Health Ministry reports at least 35 deaths and over 300 wounded since fighting resumed, with Iran claiming retaliatory attacks on US military assets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
The US military has intensified operations against Iran, striking military targets further north and closer to the capital Tehran than in previous waves of the current conflict. US Central Command announced early Thursday that it targeted multiple military sites and assets to further degrade Iran's capacity to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while also disabling an oil tanker in the waterway.
The latest escalation follows strikes launched by US Central Command on Iranian port cities near the Strait of Hormuz last Wednesday, which the US characterised as retaliation for Iran's attacks on three commercial vessels. The strikes have resulted in significant casualties, with Iran's Health Ministry reporting at least 35 deaths and more than 300 wounded since the violence resumed.
US Central Command stated that Thursday's strikes targeted Iranian command centres, air defence installations, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities across multiple locations including Bandar Abbas. An earlier wave late Wednesday targeted coastal defence and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb Island during a 90-minute bombing operation. Iranian media reported explosions across numerous locations including Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Sirik, Chabahar, Konarak, Rask, Khondab, Khorramabad, and Semnan. A hospital in Ahvaz was forced to evacuate 211 patients following reported strikes.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed retaliatory attacks on US military assets in neighbouring Gulf countries. The Iranian army stated it targeted radar systems, Patriot defence installations, and fuel tanks at Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait, as well as radar and communications systems at al-Azraq airbase in Jordan. Drones also reportedly targeted US Super Hawk radars and Patriot systems at Sheikh Isa airbase in Bahrain. The Iranian military claimed to have downed an MQ-9 drone over Andimeshk. US Central Command separately announced it had disabled a non-compliant oil tanker attempting to sail toward Iran's Kharg Island using Hellfire missiles as part of a reimposed naval blockade.
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