The conflict between the United States and Iran has entered a more dangerous phase, with Washington carrying out a tenth consecutive night of airstrikes while Tehran responds with attacks across the Gulf. As both sides intensify military operations, fears of a wider regional war continue to grow.
The United States has launched another wave of military strikes across Iran, extending its campaign to a tenth consecutive night as President Donald Trump vowed retaliation for the deaths of three American service members.
US Central Command (Centcom) said the overnight operation targeted Iranian military command centres, missile and drone launch sites, maritime facilities and air defence systems. The military said the objective was to weaken further Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest energy corridors.
The latest attacks come just days after three US soldiers were killed in separate incidents blamed on Iran. Two troops died in an attack on a military base in Jordan, while another was killed in Iraq.
Speaking after Monday night’s operation, Trump said Iran had been hit “very hard,” adding that the strikes were carried out “in honour” of the fallen American troops.
Iran responded by declaring that it was now engaged in what President Masoud Pezeshkian described as a “full-scale war” with the United States.
Tehran also claimed responsibility for a series of retaliatory attacks across the region.
According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Iranian forces struck two oil tankers travelling through the Strait of Hormuz. They launched attacks on US military assets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.
Centcom confirmed explosions were reported near several Iranian cities and strategic ports, including Tabriz, Bandar Mahshahr, Bandar Imam Khomeini, Chabahar and Konarak.
Iranian state media reported that one person was killed and several others were wounded during the strikes near Tabriz.
Despite the growing conflict, the US military insisted commercial shipping continues to move through the Strait of Hormuz.
SEE ALSO: Trump Says US Strikes on Iran Honor Fallen American Troops as Conflict Deepens
Iran, however, painted a different picture.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted two oil tankers attempting to use what it described as the Strait’s “unsafe and hazardous southern route.” Iranian officials said rescue teams were deployed to recover the crews after the vessels were hit.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that a tanker operating in the Strait of Hormuz reported being struck by an unidentified projectile, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel and escape aboard lifeboats.
It remains unclear whether this was one of the vessels mentioned by Iranian authorities.
Shipping through the Strait continues to slow dramatically.
According to preliminary data from maritime intelligence company Kpler, only six fuel tankers and cargo vessels crossed the waterway on Monday, down from eight the previous day and far below normal traffic levels.
The data also showed that two of the vessels making the crossing had previously been sanctioned by the United States over alleged links to Iran.
The conflict is also expanding beyond maritime targets.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed it launched cruise missiles at an Amazon data centre in Bahrain, alleging the facility served American military interests. The claim has not been independently verified.
Regional governments also reported fresh attacks.
Jordan said its air defences intercepted five Iranian drones after previously shooting down three missiles late Monday. Bahrain announced that drones had targeted its air navigation systems but said airport operations continued without disruption. Kuwait’s armed forces also confirmed intercepting Iranian drones entering its airspace.
Despite the ongoing exchange of strikes, diplomatic contacts have not completely broken down.
Iranian officials said indirect messages continue to pass between Washington and Tehran through mediators, even after the collapse of the recent ceasefire agreement.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon formally identified the two American soldiers killed during the attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan as Private Isabella Gonzales, 19, from Texas, and Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25, from Hawaii.
US officials also said a third service member remains listed as missing after unidentified human remains were recovered near the attack site.
With military operations expanding across several countries and commercial shipping increasingly threatened, the conflict between the United States and Iran is entering one of its most volatile stages, leaving diplomats with an increasingly narrow path to prevent a broader regional war.
