New Delhi: The United States carried out another round of military strikes on Iran overnight, extending its military campaign to a 13th consecutive night. The attacks came as the US president, Donald Trump, warned that Washington was prepared to launch even larger military operations if Tehran continued its retaliation, raising fresh concerns over a widening conflict across the Gulf.
The US Central Command (Centcom) said American forces targeted Iranian military command centres, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites and maritime capabilities. According to the US military, the operation was intended to degrade the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) ability to threaten commercial shipping and regional security.
The widening crisis triggered fresh security measures in the Gulf. Bahrain’s ministry of interior urged people “to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place” after warning sirens sounded, highlighting fears of further regional escalation as Iran and the US continue exchanging attacks.
Centcom also said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial shipping despite recent attacks, adding that vessels continue to transit the strategic waterway with US military support. Iran, however, has maintained that it controls the strait and has said safe passage is guaranteed only through coordination with Iranian authorities.
Iranian media reported explosions in several locations after the latest US strikes. Blasts were heard on Qeshm Island and in Ahvaz, while missile strikes were reported in Andimeshk and Omidiyeh in Khuzestan province. Reports from Bandar Abbas also said a residential neighbourhood was hit, leaving two people injured.
Trump, meanwhile, indicated that Washington could significantly expand its military campaign. Speaking to Axios, the US president said he was considering a “massive attack” that would be larger than previous operations, adding that a decision could be taken soon if Iran continued targeting US partners in the Gulf.
The latest escalation follows another round of Iranian retaliation against US allies in the region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it attacked US forces in Jordan and Kuwait and targeted a telecommunications tower in Kuwait.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned Tehran would respond “an eye for an eye” to any further attacks. Iranian military officials also said retaliatory operations would continue as long as US strikes on the country’s infrastructure and coastal areas continue.