International
oi-Madhuri Adnal
The United States and Iran have intensified their conflict after Washington launched fresh strikes on Iranian military targets, with Tehran responding with missile attacks against US-linked positions in the region.
The latest escalation has also raised concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments, after two oil tankers were reportedly hit while travelling through the waterway.
Amid escalating conflict, the US struck Iranian IRGC military targets, leading Iran to launch missile and drone attacks against US-linked sites and Jordan; two oil tankers were hit in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command said American forces targeted facilities linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The targets included air defence sites, radar systems, maritime assets, mine-laying capabilities and communications facilities.
CENTCOM said the strikes followed recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and American service members.
The US has also accused Iran of attempting to lay mines in the strait and carrying out an earlier attack on a US military base in Jordan.
US President Donald Trump defended the strikes and warned Tehran against further retaliation.
Trump said Iran would face a much stronger US attack if it responded to the latest strikes. He also claimed that the United States was in “almost total control” of the Strait of Hormuz.
The US president further said Iran’s economy was under severe pressure because of American sanctions and warned that the consequences for Tehran would be serious if the fighting continued.
Iran responded with missile and drone attacks against US-linked positions in the region.
Iran’s Armed Forces Central Headquarters said Tehran would deliver “crushing and devastating blows” against the United States if Washington continued its military campaign.
Iran also said it had launched missiles towards Jordan. Jordanian authorities said they intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles that entered its airspace.
The attacks have increased concerns that the conflict could spread to other countries in the region.
A US strike reportedly hit a residential building in Kuhestak, in Sirik County of Iran’s Hormozgan province, where a wedding celebration was taking place.
Iran’s Red Crescent said five people were killed and more than 50 were injured. Iranian state media later reported that 68 people had been wounded. A four-year-old child was among those reportedly killed.
The United States has not publicly commented on the reported civilian casualties.
Two oil supertankers were reportedly hit by unidentified projectiles while travelling through the Strait of Hormuz, according to maritime security consultant Marisks, as reported by Bloomberg.
The vessels were identified as the Saudi-operated very large crude carrier Sidr and the Senegal Prosperity, operated by Sinokor.
Both ships were reportedly travelling out of the Persian Gulf when they were struck.
The incidents have raised concerns over the safety of one of the world’s most important energy routes, with any prolonged disruption potentially affecting global oil supplies and prices.
