US Strikes Hit Bandar Abbas and Qeshm as Iran Retaliates in Jordan and Kuwait

The United States launched strikes against Iran on Wednesday targeting sites in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm island and Ahvaz, prompting immediate Iranian retaliation with reported attacks on US forces and sites in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, as the US reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports amid ongoing Iran strikes. [1]

US Strikes Hit Iranian Targets

The United States launched strikes against Iran on Wednesday, with bombings reported in Bandar Abbas, on the island of Qeshm and in the city of Ahvaz. [1] Iranian state media reported explosions and strikes in multiple locations including Hengam island, areas near Bushehr nuclear plant, Bampur, Chabahar (later disputed), Hajjiabad and clashes with US forces in the Strait of Hormuz, Oman Gulf and Persian Gulf. [3] The Iranian state news agency IRNA reported an American attack on the island of Hengam early Wednesday. [3] The semi-official Mehr news agency reported that air defenses were activated around the nuclear power plant in Bushehr. [3] The semi-official Fars news agency reported that several explosions were heard in Bampur and Chabahar. [3] The information about Chabahar was later disputed by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, which cited local and security sources saying no explosions occurred there. [3] Mehr later reported clashes between Iranian and American forces in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. [3] Authorities in Hormozgan province confirmed that an area near Hajjiabad in the same province was hit in an air attack. [3] The United States has so far not confirmed the ongoing attack early Wednesday. [3]

Iranian Retaliation Across Region

Iranian state media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps conducted drone attacks on American targets at the Azraq base in Jordan. [3] The US military's Azraq base in Jordan was targeted twice overnight by the Iranian army, according to Iranian state media. [5] No clashes were reported at the Azraq base. [3] Kuwait reported an Iranian attack causing a fire at a site that was contained with no injuries and only material damage. [1] Kuwait's KUNA state news agency reported that the blaze had been brought under control after six teams backed by the army and National Guard responded to the strike. [5] The Kuwaiti army says its air defenses are currently confronting Iranian hostile drone attacks. [5] Additional Iranian strikes were reported in Iraq and Bahrain. [5] A mineral water production factory in the central Iraqi county of Dehloran, west of Baghdad, was targeted by Iranian strikes, according to Fars. [5] The governor of Dehloran reported the area was targeted by three enemy projectiles, with no injuries reported so far. [5] Fars news also reported explosions have been heard in Bahrain due to missile attacks targeting American bases. [5] Bahrain's Ministry of Interior announced a siren on its X account, saying that citizens and residents should remain calm and head to the nearest safe space. [5]

Trump Vows Continued Strikes

US President Donald Trump stated that strikes against Iran will continue until he declares otherwise and threatened to target Iranian power plants and bridges next week unless Iran negotiates. [2] In an interview with Fox News, President Donald Trump said that attacks on Iran will continue as long as he deems it necessary. [3] Trump said there were talks between Iran and the United States on Tuesday. [3] The United States urged Iran to reach an agreement, and if Iran does not, the consequences will be great, according to Trump. [3] The American president directed threats at Iran in the Tuesday interview. [3] Next week will be very bad for them, because next week come the power plants, next week come the bridges, Trump said. [3] We will knock out all their power plants, we will knock out all their bridges, unless they sit down at the table and negotiate, Trump said. [3] In the interview the president also said that Iran is still able to fight, but that they do not have much to put up with. [3] Iran on its side reports that the country will continue to attack neighboring countries until Iran achieves a final victory. [3]

Naval Blockade Reimposed

US forces reimposed a naval blockade to prevent ships from sailing to or from Iran's ports. [1] The US military conducted strikes against Iran for a fourth day in response to Tehran's attacks on commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. [1] Messages about the attacks early Wednesday came after the United States at 10 p.m. Norwegian time on Tuesday reimposed the blockade against ships sailing to and from Iranian ports. [3]

CENTCOM Holds Iran Accountable

CENTCOM stated Iran is responsible for attacking seven commercial ships in the past week, killing, missing or injuring nearly a dozen civilian crew, and for dozens of rocket and drone attacks on Gulf neighbors. [3] US Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper condemned Iranian attacks on seven commercial ships this past week in a statement on CENTCOM's X account Wednesday morning. [5] Over the past seven days, Iran has intentionally targeted civilians across the region by attacking seven commercial ships, resulting in nearly a dozen civilian crew members killed, missing, or injured, the statement said. [5] US forces are holding Iran accountable for unwarranted aggression that continues to endanger innocent lives, Adm. Cooper concluded. [5] The American Central Command has sent out a statement saying that the United States holds Iran responsible for attacks that put innocents at risk. [3] In the past seven days, Iran has deliberately attacked civilians in the region by attacking seven merchant vessels, resulting in nearly six civilian crew members being killed, missing or injured, Centcom wrote on X. [3] Iranian forces have also carried out dozens of rocket and drone attacks on neighboring countries in the Gulf. [3] American forces hold Iran responsible for unwarranted attacks that put innocent lives at risk, Centcom wrote on X. [3]

Context of Hormuz Tensions

Trump reversed his plan to impose a 20% toll on Strait of Hormuz cargo and is instead seeking investment deals with Gulf states. [1] US President Donald Trump announced a reversal of his plan to charge a 20% toll on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz, saying he would instead seek investment deals with Gulf states. [1]

What to watch next: Trump has said attacks on Iran will continue until he says enough, with threats to target power plants and bridges next week unless Iran negotiates, while Iran has stated it will continue attacking neighboring countries until it achieves a final victory.