The United States has launched what it described as a “heavy wave” of airstrikes against Iran, targeting dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites in retaliation for an attempted Iranian ballistic missile attack on U.S. forces earlier this week.
According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes targeted military command centres, missile and drone facilities, coastal defence systems, surveillance sites, and maritime capabilities. The operation followed Tuesday’s attempted missile attacks on U.S. bases in Jordan and Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM said all Iranian missiles aimed at U.S. forces were successfully intercepted.
Iranian state media reported that several locations in southern and western Iran were struck, including the islands of Qeshm and the oil hub of Abadan. Officials said three civilians, including a two-year-old child, were killed after a residential home on Qeshm Island was reportedly hit.
Residents in the area described power outages, internet disruptions, and repeated explosions as the strikes unfolded.
The latest exchange marks another major escalation in the conflict, which has intensified since a ceasefire agreed to in April collapsed in June. Since then, the United States has conducted repeated strikes on Iranian military targets while Iran has launched missile and drone attacks against U.S. assets across the Middle East and targeted commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict has also widened regionally. Earlier this week, the United States and Saudi Arabia carried out joint strikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq, while Egypt reported that a drone attack caused a fire at one of its ports.
Jordan’s military said it intercepted five Iranian missiles that entered its airspace on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Axios reported that Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with U.S. President Donald Trump and conveyed Saudi Arabia’s desire to de-escalate tensions, although the White House has not publicly commented on the meeting.
Despite renewed diplomatic efforts in recent days, the latest strikes underscore the continued deterioration in relations between Washington and Tehran, with no immediate signs of a return to negotiations.
