The military confrontation between the United States and Iran intensified over the weekend after both countries launched fresh attacks, further raising tensions around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
According to the US military, fresh operations were launched against multiple Iranian military targets after Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly targeted another commercial vessel attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The latest developments also saw Iran carry out retaliatory attacks on several American military facilities across the Gulf region.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces carried out strikes on “dozens of targets” using fighter aircraft, naval vessels, one-way attack drones and unmanned sea drones.
According to the US military, the operation targeted Iranian air defence systems, coastal radar installations, missile and drone infrastructure, and small naval vessels. CENTCOM said the objective was to reduce Iran’s capability to threaten international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military added that nearly 140 Iranian targets had been struck during the latest phase of operations, a larger offensive than the previous rounds of strikes conducted earlier this week.
US President Donald Trump also commented on the military action, saying, “We bombed the hell out of them last night.”
Iran acknowledged carrying out retaliatory operations targeting American military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman.
According to Iranian state media, the IRGC claimed responsibility for strikes on facilities including helicopter maintenance centres, aircraft hangars and a drone command-and-control centre. Iranian media also reported that drone attacks targeted American military infrastructure, including defence systems and bunkers in Kuwait.
The IRGC earlier claimed attacks on Kuwait’s Ali Salem and Ahmad Al-Jaber air bases.
Iranian authorities said at least one person was killed and four others were injured after a projectile struck an agricultural water pumping station in Mahshahr in Khuzestan province.
According to Iranian officials, the deceased was a security guard stationed at the facility.
Explosions were also reported in several locations across Khuzestan, Hormozgan and Sistan-Baluchestan provinces, including Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Jask, Sirik, Chabahar and areas near Ahvaz.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the latest US military action, stating that the strikes had “rendered futile” diplomatic efforts made over recent months to reduce regional tensions.
The ministry also accused Washington of disrupting navigation arrangements related to the Strait of Hormuz by interfering in Iran’s actions concerning the strategic waterway.
Meanwhile, both Washington and Tehran continued to issue conflicting claims over the status of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest energy shipping routes.
The renewed exchange of attacks has further intensified concerns over regional stability as military operations continue across the Gulf.