US intensifies strikes on Iran as Tehran retaliates against American bases

TEHRAN, Iran (MNTV) — The United States launched another wave of airstrikes across Iran, escalating a conflict that has already claimed dozens of lives, while Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. military facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its latest 90-minute operation struck Iranian command centers, air defense systems, missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance sites, claiming the attacks were intended to weaken Iran’s ability to control the Strait of Hormuz.

The strikes hit Bandar Abbas, Iran’s main naval hub overlooking the strategic waterway, as well as military sites on Greater Tunb Island. Iranian media also reported attacks in Qeshm, Sirik, Chabahar, Konarak, Rask, Khondab, Khorramabad and Semnan, extending the U.S. assault across large parts of the country.

State media reported that air defenses were activated over Tehran, while authorities said there were no casualties in Pakdasht, the Parchin military complex or Semnan despite the attacks.

Al Jazeera reported that U.S. forces also struck a civilian airport building and a storage facility in Semnan, marking another attack on civilian infrastructure and drawing renewed criticism over Washington’s expanding military bombardment.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone over Andimeshk in Khuzestan Province during the latest hostilities.

Iran’s Health Ministry said at least 35 people have been killed and more than 300 injured since the latest round of fighting resumed last week, with civilians continuing to bear the brunt of the escalating conflict.

Tehran responded by launching missile and drone strikes against U.S. military facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan.

Iranian state media said missiles struck Patriot missile batteries and fuel storage facilities at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, while drones targeted communications systems, radar installations and air defense equipment used by U.S. forces at Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa Air Base.

The Iranian military also announced missile and drone attacks on Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan, saying it had targeted U.S. military infrastructure, including command-and-control facilities and aircraft storage areas.

Kuwait said it intercepted four cruise missiles and 21 drones, while Jordan reported shooting down eight Iranian missiles.

The renewed violence comes less than a month after Washington and Tehran signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which extended a ceasefire and outlined a framework for negotiations.

Both sides have since accused each other of violating the agreement, but Iran maintains that repeated U.S. military actions have effectively undermined the peace framework.

U.S. President Donald Trump has also threatened to broaden the strikes by targeting Iran’s power plants, bridges, and other infrastructure, raising concerns among legal experts over the possible expansion of attacks against civilian facilities.

Meanwhile, CENTCOM said U.S. forces enforced Washington’s naval blockade by disabling the Curacao-flagged oil tanker M/T Belma with Hellfire missiles after accusing it of attempting to reach an Iranian port.

The vessel was rendered inoperable in international waters, further escalating tensions over maritime trade in the Strait of Hormuz.

The continued U.S. military offensive and tightening naval blockade have intensified fears of a wider regional conflict while disrupting one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.