US, Iran trade strikes as Tehran retaliates after American attacks

The United States and Iran engaged in a series of retaliatory strikes following American attacks on Iranian military targets, according to reports. Central Command (CENTCOM) of the US military announced that forces had conducted a series of strikes targeting various Iranian assets, including air defense systems, radar sites, maritime assets, mine-laying capabilities, and communication facilities.

These strikes were reportedly in response to recent attacks by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and American service members. CENTCOM emphasized that over 50,000 US service members operate in the Middle East, maintaining readiness for ongoing operations as directed by the Commander in Chief.

In retaliation, the IRGC claimed to have launched missile and drone strikes against US bases and assets in the region, such as Camp Thiwan in Jordan and Shaikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain. However, these claims could not be independently verified. Jordan's armed forces reported intercepting 10 out of 13 ballistic missiles launched from Iran, with the remaining three landing in remote areas and causing no casualties.

Iranian media reported multiple explosions in several southern provinces following the US strikes, including areas like Sirik, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Jask in Hormozgan, as well as Konarak, Chabahar, Jiroft, and Asaluyeh. The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of Iran's main military command stated that the armed forces would respond to the US "air aggression" with "crushing and shattering" blows.

Iranian officials confirmed casualties, alleging that at least five people, including a four-year-old child and a woman, were killed, and over 50 others wounded in a US strike on a wedding ceremony in Sirik County. The IRGC also reported shooting down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone and warned that the US strikes could prolong the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation comes amid heightened tensions over the strategically important waterway.