Washington: The military confrontation between the United States and Iran intensified further on Friday as American forces carried out another round of strikes, marking the seventh straight night of operations. In response, Tehran issued one of its strongest warnings yet, declaring that continued attacks would prompt a broader military campaign extending beyond conventional retaliation.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the latest strikes were aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities and reducing its operational strength. While Washington maintained that the campaign was focused on strategic military objectives, Iranian authorities accused the US of targeting civilian infrastructure, including transportation facilities and public utilities.
Senior Iranian military adviser Major General Mohsen Rezaei warned that if American attacks persist over the coming days, Iran would abandon its current response strategy and launch a much wider offensive. He asserted that no political boundary would remain secure if the conflict continued to escalate.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also announced that missile and drone operations against American military interests across the Gulf region would continue until US forces halted strikes on Iranian territory, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict has significantly widened beyond Iranian borders. Tehran claimed responsibility for attacks on American military-related installations in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. Iranian media reported that radar systems, aircraft and military infrastructure linked to the US were targeted as part of retaliatory operations.
Authorities in several Gulf nations confirmed missile and drone activity. Qatar said its air defence systems intercepted incoming missiles, while Kuwait acknowledged damage to a power and water facility following an Iranian strike. Bahrain activated emergency air raid procedures, and Jordan reported intercepting multiple missiles entering its airspace.
The growing conflict has also disrupted maritime security. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a commercial tanker sailing near Oman was struck by a projectile, adding to concerns over the safety of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy supplies.
Inside Iran, officials said recent American strikes had damaged civilian infrastructure and placed additional pressure on the country’s energy network. The Iranian government appealed to citizens to reduce electricity consumption, citing disruptions caused by attacks on key facilities.
The humanitarian toll is also mounting. Iran’s Health Ministry stated that dozens of people have lost their lives since the latest phase of fighting began, while hundreds more have been injured.
Amid the military escalation, international concern continues to grow. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed serious alarm over the expanding conflict, stressing that attacks on civilian infrastructure violate international norms and urging all parties to avoid further escalation.
Diplomatic efforts are also continuing behind the scenes. China and Pakistan have renewed calls for both Washington and Tehran to immediately halt hostilities and return to negotiations, warning that prolonged conflict could destabilise the wider Middle East and threaten global energy security.
Despite the renewed violence, neither side has indicated a willingness to step back, raising fears that the confrontation could evolve into a broader regional conflict involving multiple countries and strategic installations across West Asia.
