US strikes deep inside Iran, Tehran retaliates with attacks on American bases

Washington/Tehran (Web Desk): The United States (US) has carried out another extensive round of military strikes against Iran as tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East, with US President Donald Trump cautioning Tehran that it must “behave better” or face even greater pressure from Washington.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the latest operation focused on a wide range of Iranian military assets.

The strikes targeted coastal defence systems, cruise missile depots, launch facilities on Greater Tunb Island, command headquarters, air-defence positions, missile and drone infrastructure, as well as coastal surveillance sites in Bandar Abbas and other areas overlooking the Strait of Hormuz.

US military officials said the campaign was designed to weaken Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz. American forces also confirmed engaging a vessel that allegedly attempted to violate a recently reimposed naval blockade around Iranian ports, indicating that the scope of Washington’s military campaign has broadened significantly.

Several explosions were reported across different parts of Iran as the strikes unfolded. Air-defence units were activated over Tehran, while similar activity was witnessed in Pakdasht and Parchin near the capital. Officials in Semnan said sections of the city’s airport sustained damage following the attacks, and blasts were also reported in Khorramabad.

Additional strikes were reported in Khondab, an important location in Markazi province that contains one of Iran’s heavy-water facilities and has previously been targeted during earlier periods of regional tension.

The fresh military action comes despite an earlier understanding intended to lower tensions between Washington and Tehran. Rather than easing the standoff, both countries have stepped up military operations and sharpened their political rhetoric, increasing concerns that the crisis could develop into a wider regional conflict.

Addressing reporters, President Trump declined to set a specific deadline for Iran but delivered a stern warning. “I don’t like giving deadlines, but they know exactly what the situation is. They have to behave better.”

He later stated that Iran appeared interested in reaching a settlement, while making it clear that the United States would decide whether diplomacy remained possible or if the confrontation would continue.

As American attacks intensified inside Iran, Tehran claimed it had responded by launching retaliatory strikes against US military installations across the region, including bases in Bahrain and Kuwait.

The conflict expanded further after Jordan announced that its armed forces had intercepted eight Iranian missiles heading towards the kingdom. State-run Petra News Agency reported that the interceptions caused no casualties or major damage.

Jordanian military officials said engineering teams secured the missile debris while the armed forces remained on maximum operational alert.

Kuwait also announced that it had intercepted four cruise missiles and 21 drones launched from Iran between Wednesday and early Thursday.

 Authorities in both Kuwait and Bahrain said their defence forces continued to intercept incoming missiles and drones as air raid sirens sounded and emergency warnings were issued across both countries.

The latest escalation has once again placed the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of international concern. As one of the world's busiest and most strategically important energy routes, any disruption to maritime traffic through the waterway has immediate repercussions for global markets.

Reports indicating slower tanker movements have already driven oil prices upward and renewed fears over the security of global energy supplies.