The United States carried out multiple military strikes on Iran on Wednesday, targeting key missile sites, air defense systems, command centers, and coastal military facilities. The operation came after Washington reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, further escalating tensions between the two countries.
According to US Central Command, the first wave of attacks focused on Greater Tunb Island, where American forces struck cruise missile launch sites and coastal defense positions. Hours later, a second round of strikes hit several locations, including Bandar Abbas, a strategic port that hosts major Iranian naval and Revolutionary Guard facilities.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched missile and drone attacks against US military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. Iranian officials stated that the attacks were part of what they described as an existential war against the United States. One of the reported targets was the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.
The military confrontation intensified after Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed. The strategic waterway is one of the world’s most important energy routes, handling nearly 20 percent of global oil and gas shipments before the conflict. The ongoing disruption pushed Brent crude oil prices to a one month high, reflecting growing concerns about global energy supplies.
Iranian media reported explosions in several coastal cities, including Bandar Abbas, Ahvaz, Konarak, Sirik, and Qeshm. Air defense systems were also activated in Tehran following reports of incoming threats. State television claimed that an area near a hospital in Ahvaz was affected, forcing the temporary evacuation of patients.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said Iran was interested in reaching a settlement despite the continuing conflict. He stated that American negotiators had urged Tehran to agree to a deal, while also warning that military operations would continue if diplomacy failed.
In a separate development, Iran released American citizen Dena Karari, who had been detained since 2024. The United States welcomed the move as a goodwill gesture, offering a rare sign of diplomacy amid the rapidly escalating conflict.
