Tehran, Jul 09 (V7N)- The United States has launched a series of large-scale airstrikes on military and strategic targets across southeastern Iran, marking one of the most significant escalations since the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
According to Iranian media reports, the strikes targeted several strategic locations, including the cities of Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Konarak, Iranshahr, Chabahar, and Bushehr. U.S. forces also reportedly struck the Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa, Jask, and Qeshm.
Iranian authorities said at least one person was killed in the attacks. In Bandar Abbas, eight explosions were reported, while Chabahar Port—one of Iran's key commercial hubs—was reportedly targeted for the first time, damaging two jetties and a control tower and causing a temporary power outage.
Officials also reported that a firefighter was killed during an attack on Iranshahr Airport. In northeastern Iran, a railway bridge in Aqala was reportedly damaged in a separate strike.
In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it launched retaliatory missile strikes against U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.
Iranian media reported that smoke was seen rising from the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain following the attack, while multiple explosions were also reported near Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan.
The United States had not immediately confirmed the reported attacks or commented on the extent of any damage to its military facilities.
The latest exchange of military action has sharply increased tensions across the Middle East, raising concerns among regional and international observers over the possibility of a broader conflict.
Note: Several claims regarding the attacks and their impact originate from Iranian official statements and media reports and had not been independently verified at the time of publication.
END/SMA/AJ
