Newsletters
The U.S. military completed a 13th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said, as explosions were reported across multiple Iranian regions early Friday.
Air defense systems were activated in Tehran to counter what state media described as a "hostile" threat.
CENTCOM said in a statement on X that its forces "successfully completed the 13th straight night of strikes against Iran" at 9 p.m. ET on July 23, targeting Iranian military command centers, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites and maritime capabilities.
The strikes were intended "to further diminish the threat Iran poses to civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz."
CENTCOM said the strait "remains open for transit despite recent attacks from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps," adding: "Commercial vessels continue to freely navigate the strait with U.S. military support."
The command said more than 50,000 U.S. service members are currently operating across the Middle East.
According to Iran's state broadcaster IRIB, U.S. strikes were reported in multiple regions of Iran early Friday.
Khuzestan Deputy Governor for Security Affairs Valiollah Hayati reportedly said, "A few minutes ago, points around the city of Ahvaz were attacked by the U.S. terrorist army with missiles," according to Iranian media.
Tasnim News Agency reported the sound of several powerful explosions in different parts of Ahvaz around 2:20 a.m. local time, citing field observations and initial reports, and said the blasts were continuing.
U.S. strikes on areas near the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz reportedly killed at least four people and injured five others.
Explosions were also reportedly heard west of Bandar Abbas, around Omidiyeh, near Andimeshk, on the southern coast of Qeshm Island, in Konarak in Sistan and Baluchestan province, in Jask in Hormozgan province, south of Khorramabad in Lorestan province, and in the city of Khandab and several locations in central Yazd province.
Iranian media also reported that air defense systems were activated in the capital, Tehran, to counter what they described as a "hostile" threat.
Separately, Iran's army said it targeted U.S. military facilities at Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain and Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan with drones, according to a statement carried by IRNA describing the action as the 24th phase of "Operation Thunder."
According to the statement, drones targeted fuel depots, large equipment storage facilities and troop housing at Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, and aircraft hangars, an aircraft maintenance hangar, and troop housing at Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan.
Tehran said, "Any action taken against the legitimate and lawful interests of the Iranian nation and the sacred Islamic Republic system will also undermine the security and economic interests of other countries in the region."
The latest developments came amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with both sides engaged in a series of strikes and retaliatory attacks across the region.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
7 min read
