WASHINGTON: The United States carried out another round of airstrikes on Iran late Saturday, saying the operation was intended to weaken Tehran’s military capabilities and retaliate for the deaths of two US service members in Jordan.
The strikes followed what the US military described as the eighth straight night of operations targeting Iranian-linked sites. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the attacks were aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and to respond to the missile and drone attacks that killed two American troops and left another missing in Jordan.
Iranian media reported that US warplanes struck the southern port city of Sirik, located along the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest escalation came after Iran launched a series of retaliatory attacks across the Gulf. Kuwaiti officials said an oil installation and a power and water facility were struck, while Bahrain reported that its air defence systems intercepted multiple Iranian missiles and drones.
Iran also claimed responsibility for attacks targeting US military positions in the region, including bases in Kuwait, while Jordan continued to intercept incoming projectiles. The Jordanian military said it shot down several missiles over the weekend.
Amid growing tensions, confusion emerged over reports concerning Jordan’s coastal city of Aqaba. While the US Embassy in Amman advised Americans to avoid the city’s airport and seaport, citing a credible security threat, Jordanian authorities denied ordering any evacuation. Government spokesperson Mohammad Al-Momani said both facilities remained fully operational and that officials had detected no immediate danger.
The conflict has intensified despite earlier diplomatic efforts. A preliminary agreement aimed at reducing hostilities between Washington and Tehran has effectively collapsed as both sides continue military operations.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, condemned the latest US actions, saying they proved that American commitments could not be trusted. He warned that Iran and its regional allies would deliver a strong response if attacks continued.
Senior Iranian military adviser Major General Mohsen Rezaei also cautioned that Tehran could abandon its limited retaliatory strategy and move toward broader offensive operations should US strikes persist.
Despite repeated mediation efforts, prospects for renewed negotiations remain uncertain as violence continues to spread across the region.
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