The United States military executed another series of strikes against Iran late Wednesday night into Thursday morning, marking the second consecutive day of military action. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) characterized these operations as 'self-defense strikes' following Iran's downing of a U.S. Apache helicopter and unsuccessful peace negotiations. The strikes targeted Iranian defense sites, communication technology systems, and military surveillance capabilities.
According to a CENTCOM statement, U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy assets utilized precision munitions against Iranian targets deemed threats to U.S. forces and international commercial shipping in the region. The strikes were described as a response to Iran's ongoing aggression.
Iranian media reported explosions in multiple cities, including Kargan, Qeshm, and Sirik, as a result of the U.S. strikes. In retaliation, Iran launched missiles targeting Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait, with Kuwait reportedly closing its airspace in response. Iranian authorities warned they would target ships attempting to navigate the Strait of Hormuz, claiming to have already fired on two vessels.
This escalation follows warnings from President Donald Trump regarding further retaliation against Iran for its military actions against U.S. allies and stalled negotiations for a peace deal.