US launches more strikes on Iran with blasts reported in south of country
The United States launched a new round of attacks on Iran after President Donald Trump signaled that he would “hit it hard again tonight” following Tuesday’s back-to-back attacks.
Iranian state media reported explosions in some regions in the south of the country, including the port cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas on the Strait of Hormuz.
After the latest attacks, Trump said in his post on Truth Social: “This is revenge for Iran bombing the ships yesterday. If it happens again, it will be much worse!”
Gulf countries reported that after the US attacks, Iran also carried out attacks, there were explosions in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, Kuwait blocked missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, and Qatar issued a security alarm.
Iran has not yet commented, but senior officials have previously warned of an “immediate response” to any attack from the United States.
US Central Command (Centcom) said the attacks were carried out to “further reduce Tehran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation” in the vital waterway.
The statement included the following: “The United States holds Iran responsible for recent unjust attacks on commercial shipping and civilian crews traveling freely in the vital international waterway.”
Multiple explosions were also reported to have been heard in other parts of the Iranian coast, including the cities of Konarak and Chabahar.
Iranian state television reported eight explosions in Bandar Abbas and said two missiles hit both Sirik and Jask ports in southern Iran.
In the statement, it was stated that two bullets hit the Abu Musa island, which has been the subject of a long-standing ownership dispute between Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
According to reports in Iranian state media, air defense systems have been activated in Bandar Abbas.
The extent of damage from the US strikes is not yet known, but Iranian media reported power outages in Chabahar and a fire at the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) barracks in Bushehr.
Iranian Student News Agency said that two of the three power lines cut in Chabahar were quickly repaired and the third will be operational soon.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Wednesday evening, the US president said Iran “called a while ago” and wanted to make a “very bad” deal.
Trump added: “I don’t know if they’re worth making the deal, I don’t know if they’re going to honor the deal, that’s the problem.”
