US Strikes Hit Iran Nuclear Plant Site as Retaliation Widens

The US military launched a new wave of strikes against Iran targeting Revolutionary Guard facilities, including a nuclear power plant construction site, as Iran retaliated with attacks on US allies across the Middle East. The Iran strikes form part of a weeklong campaign that began with a struggle over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

US Launches Fresh Strikes on Iran

The United States launched a new wave of strikes against Iran early Monday morning, with US Central Command stating that the strikes will continue degrading Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz. [3] CENTCOM said the latest airstrikes, which began Saturday under President Donald Trump’s direction, targeted Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defense facilities, maritime capabilities, and missile and drone storage sites. [1] The operation was designed to degrade Iran’s ability to control the Strait of Hormuz and swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces. [1] Footage released by the US military appeared to show strikes carried out by fighter jets and by Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from the sea. [1] Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation reported that the strikes hit the construction site of the planned Darkhovin Nuclear Power Plant in southwest Iran, where satellite images showed earth clearing but very little construction as of July 9 and no radiological material known to be present. [1] CENTCOM also said US forces continued enforcing the naval blockade on Iran, with six commercial vessels redirected and one vessel disabled as of July 19. [5]

Iranian Retaliation Across the Region

Iran responded by launching missiles and drones toward Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, prompting those nations to activate air defenses. [1] Kuwait said one of the country’s power and water desalination plants was attacked for the second time in two days, causing fires, though the power grid remains stable. [1] Jordan intercepted several missiles without casualties, while Israel warned that Iranian missiles fired toward Jordan’s Aqaba could spill into Israeli territory. [5] Bahrain’s air defenses also intercepted an Iranian attack. [2] The secretary-general of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council accused Iran of war crimes for strikes on infrastructure and civilian facilities. [1]

US Military Casualties Mount

An Iranian attack on a base in Jordan killed two US service members, left one missing and four requiring hospitalization. [1] After a thorough search, US military personnel found unidentified remains at the location in Jordan following the July 17 attack. [5] Separately, a US service member in northern Iraq was killed in action July 18 during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone, with a second service member sustaining minor injuries. [5] Since the war began, 16 US service members have been killed and over 430 wounded. [1]

Strait of Hormuz at Center of Conflict

The campaign, now in its ninth consecutive night, aims to degrade Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz where shipping has sharply declined. [3] The US reimposed a naval blockade redirecting six vessels and disabling one. [1] Recent attacks suggest the US military is carrying out plans to target Iran’s power stations and bridges to compel Tehran to loosen its hold on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil and natural gas traded passes in peacetime. [1] Iran has focused its attacks on US-allied Arab states in the Gulf as well as Jordan. [1]

Iranian Leadership Responds

Iranian authorities report at least 50 killed and 517 wounded in the latest US strikes. [1] Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned of devastating responses while suspending an interim deal. [1] In a written statement, Mojtaba Khamenei called Trump’s signature totally worthless and discredited and promised even heavier retaliation against the United States. [2] Iran’s joint military command said that US covetousness, bullying, totalitarianism or brutality would meet with a devastating response. [1] Iran’s atomic energy agency said US strikes early Sunday morning targeted the Darkhovin construction site. [1]

Regional Allies on Alert

Israel warned that Iran missiles headed for Jordan could land on its territory. [1] The Gulf Cooperation Council accused Iran of targeting civilian infrastructure. [5] Jordan and nearly every Gulf Arab state has been targeted by Iran for retaliatory strikes. [1] Israel said its forces were prepared to immediately resume combat if required. [5]

What to watch next: CENTCOM has indicated the strikes will continue degrading Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iranian authorities have warned of further responses following the suspension of the interim deal.