Washington: The military confrontation between the United States and Iran intensified on Thursday after American forces carried out a fresh series of strikes on strategic infrastructure in southern Iran, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory missile attacks on US-linked military facilities in the Middle East.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the latest operation was aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities and disrupting its operational network around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime energy corridors.
Iranian media reported that multiple sites, including bridges, a railway station and an airport in Hormozgan province, were hit during the strikes. Authorities confirmed casualties following attacks on transport infrastructure, while additional explosions were reported near Bushehr, home to Iran’s only civilian nuclear power facility.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for launching ballistic missiles at a US airbase in Jordan, describing the attack as retaliation for American airstrikes near Ahvaz. Air defence systems in several Gulf nations, including Bahrain and Kuwait, were activated after missiles and drones were detected in their airspace.
Iranian military officials reiterated that the country would continue defending its position in the Strait of Hormuz and warned that any further attacks on Iranian infrastructure could trigger broader retaliation across the region.
The Strait of Hormuz has once again emerged as the focal point of the crisis. The waterway, through which a significant share of the world’s oil shipments passes, has witnessed growing tensions after Iran renewed restrictions on maritime movement following the collapse of the recent ceasefire understanding.
The United States has simultaneously tightened pressure on Tehran by restoring its naval blockade of Iranian ports. American officials said naval forces intercepted vessels suspected of violating the blockade and redirected several ships operating in the Gulf of Oman.
Despite the renewed military exchanges, diplomatic channels remain open. The White House maintained that President Donald Trump is prepared to pursue negotiations if Iran returns to the agreed framework, while insisting that attacks on international shipping would invite a firm response.
Iran, however, questioned the value of continuing negotiations, arguing that previous commitments had lost credibility after the latest US military action. Senior Iranian leaders maintained that any future agreement would only be meaningful if all parties honoured their obligations.
The latest escalation has heightened concerns about regional stability, with analysts warning that continued attacks around the Strait of Hormuz could have far-reaching consequences for global energy markets and international trade. Meanwhile, Iranian officials said dozens of people have been killed in the recent wave of US strikes as the conflict enters another dangerous phase.
