US launches heavy strikes on Iran

United States military launched a series of powerful strikes against Iran following a recent IRGC attack on American forces stationed in Jordan.

Explosions rocked several locations including Qeshm, Kish, Bandar Abbas, Abadan, and Bushehr as the US Central Command (CENTCOM) executed what it described as a “heavy wave of strikes against Iran.”

US assets targeted dozens of IRGC sites, hitting military command centres, missile and drone facilities, coastal surveillance and defence sites, and maritime capabilities.

According to CENTCOM, these strikes sought to “further diminish threats posed by Iran and its proxies to American forces, commercial shipping, and neighbouring Gulf nations.”

As the conflict escalated, Iraq’s presidency condemned the joint US-Saudi attacks on Iran-aligned paramilitary groups within its borders, labeling the actions a “blatant violation of the country’s sovereignty.”

Popular Mobilisation Forces reported that the strikes killed 20 of its fighters and wounded 32 others. Iranian media further claimed that the joint strikes in Iraq also killed four Iranian advisers. Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israeli forces killed two Palestinians and wounded more than a dozen despite a US-brokered ceasefire.

CENTCOM said more than 50,000 US service members currently in the region “remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready.”

Over the past 13 days of consistent US operations, Iran has primarily focused its responses on Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. On Qeshm Island, Iranian officials reported that a strike hit a residential building, trapping three individuals under rubble and causing widespread power outages.

While Kish Island also sustained strikes, authorities confirmed that port operations and ferry schedules remained undisrupted. In Bandar Abbas, officials clarified that loud explosions heard by residents were actually echoes from the attack on nearby Qeshm Island rather than direct hits on the city itself.

The military campaign also reached Kazerun in Fars province, marking the only inland region targeted so far. In the oil-rich province of Khuzestan, US forces hit at least three locations, including several sites in Ahvaz.

IRIB state broadcaster noted that strikes hit at least seven locations in Ahvaz, leading to power outages in parts of the city. Residents also reported hearing explosions in the cities of Shadegan, Arvandkenar, and Abadan as the operation continued.

Source: Al Jazeera (adapted)