The United States launched its 11th consecutive night of airstrikes on Iran late Tuesday, as tensions continued to escalate despite Tehran’s warning against targeting its nuclear facilities.
US Central Command (Centcom) said the latest strikes were aimed at further weakening Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian state media reported that air defence systems were activated in Tehran, while explosions were heard in the northwestern city of Tabriz, the southeastern ports of Chabahar and Konarak, and the southern city of Bushehr, home to the country’s only nuclear power plant.
The strikes came after former US President Donald Trump said the US would soon target an underground nuclear site near Natanz, prompting Iran to warn of retaliation. Although both countries agreed to a ceasefire in April, fighting resumed last week over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Centcom, US forces struck Iranian military command centres, maritime assets, aircraft hangars, drone storage sites, and logistics infrastructure.
The US military also accused Iran of attacking more than 30 commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz over the past three months, saying the attacks endangered civilian mariners and threatened freedom of navigation, while insisting the waterway remains open to commercial shipping.
Meanwhile, Kuwait said its air defence systems intercepted Iranian drones early Wednesday, while Bahrain and Jordan also reported shooting down incoming drones and missiles.
