U.S. strikes Iranian military targets

U.S. Central Command said American forces carried out strikes against Iranian military targets, hitting air defense sites, radar systems, maritime assets, mine-laying capabilities and communications facilities. It said the attacks were in response to attempted actions by the Revolutionary Guard against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against U.S. service members. CENTCOM also said more than 50,000 American troops remain deployed across the Middle East and ready to continue operations.

Iranian media reported explosions in several cities and at a provincial airport after the strikes. Reports from southern Iran said a wedding gathering was hit in the Sirik area, with casualties including children. Iranian officials and state outlets gave different tolls, but the accounts described multiple deaths and dozens of injuries. There was no immediate U.S. comment on those reports.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard then announced retaliatory missile and drone operations against American bases and interests across the region. Its statements claimed strikes on facilities in Jordan, Iraq and Bahrain, as well as attacks on drones, radar systems, aircraft hangars and fuel storage areas. Iranian outlets framed the strikes as revenge for what they called unprovoked aggression and accused the U.S. of targeting civilians.

The confrontation marks a sharp escalation after a wave of airstrikes on Iran and counterstrikes that have raised regional tensions and added pressure to global energy markets. Both sides presented the attacks as direct responses to recent actions by the other, while Iran said it would continue retaliatory operations and further tighten pressure on the Strait of Hormuz.