The United States military launched what it described as “heavy” strikes on Iranian targets on Thursday, ending a days-long pause in hostilities. The attacks came in response to Iranian missile launches targeting American forces in the Middle East, with the US military reporting it struck dozens of targets including military command centers, drone and missile facilities, and coastal defense sites in a two-hour operation.
The strike sequence began after Iran targeted a US military base in Jordan on Wednesday. Jordan’s military said it intercepted five Iranian missiles aimed at the kingdom. The US responded with strikes across southern Iran, including on Qeshm island. According to reports from Iranian media cited by international news outlets, the strikes killed at least three people, including a couple and their two-year-old child, though casualties and damage assessments vary across sources.
The escalation has raised regional tensions, with concerns about a potential widening of the conflict. Saudi Arabia faces pressure regarding its own role, with reports noting the kingdom must decide whether to continue retaliatory measures or pursue de-escalation. A liquefied natural gas tanker reportedly exited the Strait of Hormuz following the strikes, signaling commercial concerns about regional stability.
Sources
- The Guardian World
- France24
- BBC World
- Al Jazeera
- Al Jazeera (2)
- The Guardian World (2)
- France24 (2)
- Al Jazeera (3)
- BBC World (2)
Featured photo by Jakub Klucký on Unsplash